Simply Buckhead November/December 2012 by Simply Buckhead

November/December 2012 Issue 13 â&#x20AC;˘ free

Your Guide to Living Well in Atlanta

G e t f e s t i v e ! How 3 local families celebrate the holidays

Pasta Vino: Inside a Peachtree Battle institution

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November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

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November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

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/// COVER STORY

home for the holidays

We capture a trio of elegant parties and family affairs that shine with the essence of our community.

Contents /// FEATURES

Lia Moraitakis and beau Easley Hooff dip into a festive fondue pot, part of the spread of celebratory eats at his family’s New Year’s gathering in Buckhead.

/// DEPARTMENTS

Stop and smell the rosemary Rosemary Beach offers a classy—and close!— beach vacation

13 LETTERS

37 SIMPLY ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

15 SIMPLY NOW 47 SIMPLY DELICIOUS

24 45

Experience Ormond Beach Go beyond Spring Break, Bike Week and Daytona 500

Dancing with the stars (of tomorrow) Atlanta Ballet educator trains Buckhead dancers for “Nutcracker”

Rooms worth a view Explore three of Buckhead’s most inspirational spaces

27 SIMPLY STYLISH 71 SIMPLY HAPPENING

‘I knew right from the get-go that I was interested and driven to teach.’ – Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education’s Kate Gaul, page 45

Fans, but no frills Pasta Vino fills niche with homey Italian cooking November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

BURRiTOS Tacos FAJiTAS Nachos QUESADiLLAS salads

PROUDLY PRESENTS

Your Guide to Living Well in Atlanta

Serving Buckhead, Brookhaven, Sandy Springs, Vinings, Decatur and Virginia Highland november/december 2012 | ISSUE 13 P.O. Box 11633, Atlanta, GA 30355 www.simplybuckhead.com For advertising rates call: 404-538-9895

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/// BEHIND THE COVER Publisher

Joanne Hayes Editor-In-Chief

Allison Weiss Entrekin

with purchase of a drink. limit three per person. any addtional ingredients are charged extra.

Creative Director

Alan Platten Creative Production Assistant

Sandra Platten Chief Photographer

BUCKHEAD

2900 PEACHTREE RD • (404) 814-1755

Book your Holiday Party at Sufi’s

Discover Ormond by the Sea Florida

Sufi’s offers a taste of Persia in the heart of Atlanta between Midtown and Buckhead. Step inside and enjoy a feast for your senses with each flavorful dish. Their elegant dining room or their spacious patio are ideal for alfesco dining. Start with hot naan flatbread served with a generous platter of herb, cheese, and nuts. Appetizers such as Shirazi salad, hummus and yogurt dips, and Kashk bademjan set the stage. Cornish hen, lamb, vegetable, chicken, and salmon kabobs, fesenjoon stew, stuffed grape leaves are all cooked to perfection, and we have a full bar.

A quaint coastal community only 365 miles from Atlanta, the perfect place for your beachside vacation getaway. • Oceanfront condos and single family bungalows from the low $100,000s • Waterfront residences under $1 million

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November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

Our New Year’s Eve party scene was shot at Nancy and Gene Hooff’s gorgeous Buckhead estate. Their son and daughter-in-law, Gene Jr. and Megan Hooff, came for the fun, as did their close friends, the Kay family (Carter, Ford and son Will). Even Sybil Wornall, gallery manager of Anne Irwin Fine Art, showed up later in the evening; it turns out she’s a friend of Megan’s! Sparklers have a short life span, so getting the perfect photo of three burning at once was a collaborative, near-acrobatic act. Photo Assistant Kate Terhune would light the ends, then run away very quickly so Chief Photographer Sara Hanna could get the shot. It took a few tries, but it turned out beautifully. Throughout the evening, Will Kay kept everyone in stitches, and once the shoot wrapped, the entire group grilled healthy kabobs and clinked glasses of wine to commemorate a job well done.

Sara Hanna www.sarahanna.com

Producer: Kate Abney Chief Photographer: Sara Hanna Photo Assistant: Kate Terhune

Legal Counsel

Senior Account Executives

Robbin Gordon Cheryl Isaacs Associate Editor

Giannina Smith Bedford Contributing Writers

Kate Abney Wendell Brock H.M. Cauley Carly Cooper Jennifer Bradley Franklin David Goldstein Curt Holman Catherine O’Connor Hough Hope Philbrick Olivia Putnal Graphic Designer

Michael Baker Leslie Haugen Copy Editor

Ellen Glass Scott I. Zucker

We welcome all contributions, but we assume no responsibility for unsolicited material. No portion of this publication can be reproduced in whole or in part without prior written permission. Copyright © 2012 by Simply Buckhead®. All rights reserved. Printed by Walton Press, Inc. Distributed by Distributech, Network Communications, Inc., and Distribution Services Group. Simply Buckhead® is a member of the Buckhead Business Association.

find us online Read Simply Buckhead online at

www.SimplyBuckhead.com with click-through capability Facebook facebook.com “Like” or “Friend” us at Simply Buckhead Magazine Twitter twitter.com Follow us @SimplyBuckhead

/// featured contributor

Kate Abney A South Carolina native, Kate Abney has had a passion for magazines, writing and the visual arts since kindergarten. She pursued these fields avidly throughout high school and college, landing a handful of high-profile internships, including a career-pivotal one at BRIDES, a Condé Nast publication. Following her graduation from the College of Charleston, Abney worked as an editorial assistant at Southern Accents and InCircle Entrée magazines in Birmingham, Ala. She then spent nearly four years as an editor at Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles before becoming managing editor at JEZEBEL and a contributing editor to The Atlantan magazine. Abney has contributed to HGTVGardens.com, Better Homes & Gardens, Charleston magazine, Charleston HOME, Charleston Weddings, BRIDES’ Receptions, BRIDES’ Honeymoons & Weddings Away and more. In this issue of Simply Buckhead, Abney interviews three Buckhead families about their elaborate holiday celebrations, and she also snags a one-on-one with Cakes & Ale Pastry Chef Eric Wolitzky of “Top Chef Just Desserts” fame.

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Letters

/// EDITOR’S LETTER

from our tweet hearts and facebook fans! Follow us @SimplyBuckhead and on Facebook Just met @SimplyBuckhead’s leader Joanne! So grateful for their partnership with @CUREchildcancer! Thank you @LauraScholz, you’re the best!

–@dawnmstark

Wendell, thank you for writing such a fun article on OK Café. You made us all feel that the work we do matters. We’ll treasure the article for many years to come. And it seems you may have coined a new phrase: “culinary preservationist.” I’m certainly happy to be put into that category. The Southern recipes we grew up with are timelessly delicious and are known to go down easy at 2 a.m. … even if a little tipsy. Good luck with your magazine. –Susan DeRose, Liberty House Restaurant Corp.

Just read the latest issue of @SimplyBuckhead online! Loved it! It’d be awesome to work for the company! –@cpzack @SimplyBuckhead, loving your guide! My @Blast900 clients would love it too! When can you come visit us? Bring some guides. –@MissiWolf900

I wanted to tell you that I had fun at the photo shoot and am looking forward to selling all the copies of the September/October issue. –Zaza Pachulia, Atlanta Hawks

Great coffee mtg with the lovely Joanne from @SimplyBuckhead! Pick up a copy around town! –@MandyPremierPR

We were so appreciative of the editorial in the last issue, and Sara Hanna was just awesome! The shots she got were amazing. –Lauren Morris, Georgia Shakespeare

@SimplyBuckhead I was so happy to find out about your amazing magazine at Quiet Heroes! -@mngauthier

This is the best issue! Even though I’m the publisher’s mother and very prejudiced! The ads just pop out and the articles are very interesting. The whole team gets an “A.” This is really good work. –Diane Jackson It was certainly an honor to be in such a prestigious magazine and among such an accomplished group! I had so much fun the day of the shoot and chatting with everyone....what a great group! I went to see Amy perform Friday night and really enjoyed her performance! -Stacey Eames, Highland Bakery I just moved to the Atlanta area last weekend. I picked up a copy of Simply Buckhead and I love it! –Chris Enfinger

Just had an absolute blast having @ATLphotos photograph “Asher Lev” star Lane Carlock for @SimplyBuckhead! Can’t wait to see the results. –@TheatOutfit @SimplyBuckhead love it!! Thx so much for such an amazing makeover opportunity. –@MelBoteri Can’t wait for September issue of @SimplyBuckhead magazine to come out. Especially wonder who will be on the cover. –@zaza27

/// LETTER BOX ///

Tell us what you think! Send your comments, compliments and criticisms to editor@simplybuckhead.com. All letters will be considered for publication and may be edited for length and clarity.

omeone wise once told me, “Holidays come and go, but holiday traditions knit people together.”

As the mother of two young children, I love that my husband and I are in the midst of creating holiday traditions that solidify who we are as a family. For example: We are the Entrekins, who stop at the Buckhead Caribou on cold December evenings, then drive around the nearby neighborhoods looking at holiday lights. (We always make sure we go to that unbelievable home on the corner of Winall Down and Peachtree Dunwoody Roads to gawk at the hundreds of inflatables in the yard.) We are the Entrekins, who listen to Buckhead Church’s Christmas CD while decorating our tree, saving the angel for our daughter Greer to put on top. We are the Entrekins, who put out a stocking for our dog, make him wear a little collar with jingle bells and give him a huge bone on Dec. 25. Yes, we might be semi-crazy dog people. Of course, my family’s traditions are still new, but the traditions of many other Buckhead families are tried, true and absolutely terrific. In this issue of Simply Buckhead, writer Kate Abney looks at the private holiday celebrations of three Buckhead families, uncovering inspirational ideas for all of us. Read how the Druckers make Hanukkah a special time for their little ones; how Danielle Rollins throws a Christmas dinner party to remember; and how the Hooffs celebrate New Year’s Eve in style. Abney gets their tips, tricks and even a few recipes. Also in this issue, food writer Wendell Brock explores a restaurant many of you call your favorite: Pasta Vino in the Peachtree Battle shopping center. And fashion writer Olivia Putnal gets style tips from Katharine Kidd, a Buckhead girl who took Hollywood by storm and recently returned to open her own hometown boutique. I hope this very special issue inspires you as much as it has me. Who knows? Perhaps reading a copy of Simply Buckhead will become your newest holiday tradition.

Allison Weiss Entrekin editor@simplybuckhead.com

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E V E N T S | L O C A L S A L U T E | T R AV E L

Simply now

travel

Stop and smell the Rosemary, Page 22

Visitors shop on Main Street in Rosemary Beach.

“As I shed my preconceived notions of what a Florida beach vacation feels like, I found myself embracing a new way of doing things.” 15

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

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/// FEATURED EVENT ///

The real deal: Lighting up the mansion The Governor’s Mansion holds its annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

Left: Governor Nathan Deal and First Lady Sandra Deal welcome visitors for the annual tree lighting. Above: The event includes live holiday music and carols. Photos by Alana Joyner

dd some extra twinkle to your winter festivities with the official kickoff to the holidays at the Governor’s Mansion on West Paces Ferry Road in Buckhead. The annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony draws a crowd of approximately 1,500 visitors each year, and the event is free for the entire family. The evening’s entertainment begins with live music in the ballroom from the Georgia Boy Choir and continues with the seasonal sounds of the Pope High School

Chamber Music Society in the State Drawing Room. The carols and merriment can also be heard outside, with melodies from the 116th Army Band filling the mansion’s vast lawn. Governor Nathan Deal and First Lady Sandra Deal will also be on hand to spread some holiday cheer, welcoming the crowd to their home with traditional holiday refreshments. Along with filling up on cookies and cider, visitors can also drop off a toy for a needy child—the mansion will serve

as a Toys for Tots drop location throughout the holiday season. Guests should not be surprised to see Santa and Mrs. Claus getting into the spirit of the event; December’s most sought-after couple makes an appearance for plenty of photo opportunities throughout the evening. The celebration culminates on the front lawn with the ceremonial lighting of the tree, an iconic symbol of Christmastime in Buckhead.

Georgia Governor’s Mansion Sunday, Dec. 2 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free and open to the public

391 West Paces Ferry Road N.W. Atlanta 30305 www.mansion.georgia.gov

– David Goldstein

/// FREE EVENT ///

Terrific Thursdays in Decatur Skip the dreaded mall-going experience this holiday season and hit the streets of charming Decatur for a festive and fun shopping trip complete with discounts and free giveaways. During November and December, Decatur hosts Terrific Thursdays, inviting patrons to stroll the Christmas light-adorned streets, where the shops, galleries and restaurants will stay open late and provide beverages, snacks and special offers to visitors. Put on your mittens and grab a hot chocolate to keep warm as you search for one-of-a-kind gifts in a celebratory setting. If you stop by in December, you may even catch a glimpse of Santa Claus, who will visit neighborhood attractions looking for good girls and boys to put on his list.

Decatur shoppers enjoy the holiday spirit during Terrific Thursdays. Photo courtesy of City of Decatur

Downtown Decatur Thursday evenings Nov. 8, 15, 29 Dec. 6, 13, 20 East Court Square Decatur 30030 404.371.8386 www.decaturga.com/ terrificthursdays

– Giannina Smith Bedford

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

SI MPLY now

events

/// FAMILY-FRIENDLY ///

IT’S BACK!

Adapted and Directed by Jon Ludwig Based on the classic television special

Children learn about winter holidays and make crafts during Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta’s seasonal programming.

’Tis the season for

Clay Walker

Stories Nov 8 - Jan 6 Supported in part by: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and all elements from the 1964 television special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer © and ™ under license to Character Arts, LLC.

404.873.3391 www.puppet.org 1404 Spring Street NW Atlanta, GA 30309 Limited FREE Parking • MARTA Accessible Advance purchase is highly recommended as many show sell out quickly. Season supported in part by: Fulton County Arts Council, City of Atlanta Oﬃce of Cultural Aﬀairs, National Endowment for the Arts, Georgia Council for the Arts.

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

Learn about the holidays at Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta Join innovative storytellers at Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta for fascinating holiday tales. On three consecutive weekends in December, the museum rolls out kid-friendly narratives, educating families on winter holidays. Stories, which begin at noon on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday, conclude with a time for children to construct their very own take-home holiday crafts matching the holiday they just learned about. The program kicks off Dec. 15 with the history of Hanukkah and the construction of a traditional Jewish dreidel game. The following weekend, children hear a magical story documenting the history of Christmas before creating a personalized holiday craft and ornament to hang on their trees. The program comes to an end with the story of Kwanzaa and the weaving of the traditional Mkeka, the mat housing the symbolic images from the African-

American holiday. The seasonal storytelling experience is appropriate for children of all ages and is included in the museum’s $12.75 admission price. – David Goldstein

Meet the Holidays: Hanukkah Saturday, Dec. 15 at 12 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. Meet the Holidays: Christmas Saturday, Dec. 22 at 12 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 23 at 2 p.m. Meet the Holidays: Kwanzaa Saturday, Dec. 29 at 12 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 30 at 2 p.m. Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta 275 Centennial Olympic Park Drive N.W. Atlanta 30313 404.659.5437 www.childrensmuseumatlanta.org

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November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

believe

like the children believe The holidays are such a magical time, especially for children. Treats, ribbons, surprises, and joy. For childhood cancer patients and their families, the holiday season is much different. Hospital beds, IVs, chemotherapy, and hope. CURE Childhood Cancer exists to ﬁnd a cure for our kids. But we need your help.

Support CURE Childhood Cancer This Holiday Season CURE HOLIDAY CARDS

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“Wishing you a beautiful holiday season and a new year of peace and happiness.” Pack of 10 cards: $20.00 To purchase visit www.curechildhoodcancer.org

Wear a little, give a lot! Don your Speedo, fundraise, and race through Midtown! Or support one of our brave, festive runners. www.atlantasantaspeedorun.org

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Local Salute story:

As chair of the board of directors of Drop Dead Gorgeous, Bronni Karatassos educates community members about child exploitation.

Drop Dead Gorgeous Local community member strives to end child sex trafficking About five years ago, Buckhead resident Bronni Karatassos learned that young girls were being pimped out on the streets of Atlanta, particularly downtown near North Avenue Presbyterian Church. Karatassos had just given birth to her second-born son Christian, and as a mother was “shocked and horrified” that this was happening in her hometown. An active community member and wife of Niko Karatassos (director of operations for Buckhead Life Restaurant Group), Bronni says she felt obligated to do something about what she calls “modern-day slavery.” “Our girls and boys are at risk,” she says. “I feel motivated as a mother of boys to raise them to respect women and not feel a need to purchase sex from anybody, underage or not.” Karatassos joined Drop Dead Gorgeous (DDG), a 501c3 organization that enlists the fashion, entertainment and sports industries to spread aware-

ness of—and reduce the demand for— the commercial sexual exploitation of children. As chair of the board of directors, Karatassos educates community members about child exploitation. She recently spoke to middle school students at the Atlanta International School and helped plan a cocktail party complete with an auction and fashion show at 103 West that raised money to help sexually exploited girls recover from their traumatic experience. “Having a fashion show allows us to talk about an extremely difficult subject more openly,” Karatassos says. Ricky Martin endorses the organization, and “America’s Next Top Model” alum Bre Scullark is a spokesperson. “The Biggest Loser” trainer Dolvett Quince has also participated in DDG events. One out of every four runaways will be sold into human trafficking, Karatassos says, so DDG works with the Governor’s Task Force to secure legislation that would treat these girls as victims and give them the recovery assistance they need. www.ddgcharity.com

Bringing Art to Life Buckhead resident Vince Anthony has been supporting the community through the Center for Puppetry Arts for more than 30 years Buckhead resident Vince Anthony founded the Center for Puppetry Arts in 1978. When the Center opened, it only had a handful of employees and everyone did a bit of everything. Now, it employs more than 70 fulland part-time employees in nine departments. The innovative space has become the largest nonprofit dedicated to the art of puppetry in America. The Center for Puppetry Arts features two performance spaces, award-winning

programming, a research library, classes, workshops and exhibitions of renowned international puppets, including the work of Jim Henson. “We’ve become a beloved Atlanta institution and have formed cherished relationships with generations of audiences, ” Anthony says. Though the puppet shows at the Center require paid admission ($7 to $25, depending on age and membership status), the Center is also

Carly Cooper

In Remembrance Buckhead resident Anna Ruth Williams uses her father’s untimely death to help others cope with suicide Buckhead resident Anna Ruth Williams, 28, lost her father, the Rev. Mike Williams, to suicide in late 2008. Determined to turn her personal tragedy into an opportunity to help others, she got involved with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, a nonprofit organization dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide. Last year, she became chair of the Metro Atlanta Chapter, one of the nation’s largest—she’s the youngest AFSP chair in the country. “I’m determined to erase the stigma associated with mental disorders in hopes that one day we can live in a world without suicide,” she says. According to Williams, there are about 30,000 suicide attempts and more than 1,000 suicide deaths in Georgia each year. Along with other members of the AFSP, Williams works to educate and support at-risk populations and provide healing resources to those who have lost a loved one to suicide. On Nov. 17, the local chapter will host remembrance events at Skyland Trail Health and Education Center

Vince Anthony founded the Center for Puppetry Arts, the largest puppetry nonprofit in America.

supported by government funding and donations from individuals, foundations and corporations. This allows the Center to provide approximately 70,000 free and discounted tickets to schoolchildren annually—children who might otherwise have limited access to the arts, Anthony says. On a day-to-day basis, Anthony coordinates and supervises the Center’s department heads, each of whom focuses on a key area of the Center’s

Anna Ruth Williams transformed a personal tragedy into an opportunity to help others.

in Buckhead and The Link Counseling Center in Sandy Springs as part of International Survivors of Suicide Day. The AFSP will display the Lifekeeper Memory Quilt, composed of squares created by local survivors to honor the lives of those who have succumbed to suicide. Experts will share the latest research about suicide and coping with grief, and local survivors will speak about their experience. Williams also hopes to plan an event for survivors in December 2013, to help them get through the holidays. www.afsp.org

operations, including the museum, education and ticket sales. He is also one of the principal fundraisers for the Center and frequently meets with potential donors to solicit philanthropic gifts and sponsorships. This winter, Anthony will lead the Center in hosting performances of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, giving audiences a chance to enjoy the TV classic-turned puppet show, while watching the puppeteers in action through a live behind-the-stage camera. He also oversaw the recent expansion of the Center’s educational video-conferencing program, Distance Learning, which now features both live and streamed webinars about puppetry arts. www.puppet.org

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

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TRAVEL

Stop and smell

the rosemary Rosemary Beach offers a classy —and close!—beach vacation feature:

Allison Weiss Entrekin

hen I was a kid, my family and I vacationed at your typical Florida beaches. Places like New Smryna Beach, where high-rise condos tower above single-family homes, upscale seafood restaurants are situated in strip malls, and portions of the beach allow cars (most driven by high schoolers with newly minted licenses). I always had a great time. But a recent trip to Rosemary Beach made me realize the vacation spots of my youth were as far from models of “planned communities” as Atlanta’s highways are from models of planned transportation. Rosemary Beach, founded in 1995 on Scenic Route 30A in Northwest Florida (a five-hour drive from Buckhead), is by contrast an exceptionally planned community. Its 107 acres were carefully laid out by an “aesthetics coordinator,” with each home adhering to strict architectural standards (most are New Orleans- or Charleston-style). Homes that don’t have views of the Gulf of Mexico instead face tree-shaded common areas with trickling fountains and bocce courts. There are no backyards here, so there’s no grass to mow—“which eliminates noise pollution,” says Ken Gifford, president and chief operating officer of Rosemary Beach Holdings. Noise pollution. Wow. And forget overgrown lots: Rosemary Beach exacts a hefty penalty from those who

Just five hours from Buckhead, Rosemary Beach offers peace, quiet and a taste of the good life.

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

buy a plot of land and wait to build. “One guy is paying $25,000 a month right now,” Gifford tells me. Ouch. Clearly, not too many people opt to go that route. In Rosemary Beach, there is a variety of vacation rental options for visitors who aren’t quite ready to fork over several million bucks to build or buy in this manicured paradise. Choices include carriage homes for two, six-bedroom “cottages” for families to share, or the option I took: a second-floor, onebedroom condo in the town center. At first, Rosemary Beach’s vibe took some getting used to. Women wore high heels to dinner, while I’m more accustomed to “flipflop fine dining” at beach restaurants. Shops carried the same designers I’m used to seeing at Phipps. I needed an access card to get on the beach. But as I shed my preconceived notions of what a Florida beach vacation feels like, I found myself embracing a new way of doing things. A yoga class taught by a popular instructor at a pristine fitness center? Heaven. A gorgeous pool (The Coquina, one of four pools in Rosemary Beach) modeled after the one at the Delano in Miami, with nary a squealing kid doing a cannonball? Love it. A tennis lesson on clay with a top-notch instructor? Yes, please. The food in Rosemary Beach is also terrific, with a nice variety of restaurant types and price points. Cowgirl Kitchen is a town insti-

tution; diners order Southwest fare like breakfast tacos and chicken nachos at the counter, then grab a table to wait for their food. It’s also a great place to nab a take-out meal like a giant casserole dish of Mexican lasagna. Another casual spot is Wild Olives, a market, deli and bakery that offers alfresco lunches like grilled yellowfin tuna sandwiches. A third lowkey spot is Summer Kitchen, which, despite its name, offers a year-round menu of things like Kobe burgers and a quinoa salad topped with Springer Mountain Farms chicken. On the more upscale side, there’s Onano and Paradis. Onano has a menu of northern Italian cuisine and a cozy bar for after-dinner grappa. Paradis has steaks, seafood and a lively bar scene; it’s also the only four-star restaurant in Rosemary Beach. After dinner, stroll over to La Crema Tapas and Chocolate for an obscenely decadent bowl of chocolate soup (yep, you read that right) garnished with cinnamon croutons and topped with vanilla ice cream. No, my dinners weren’t the burgers-andslushies variety of my childhood beach vacations. Yes, I wore jewelry and even high heels a time or two. But Rosemary Beach still gave me the same thing the beaches of my childhood did: a really great time. n For more information call 866.348.8952 or visit www.rosemarybeach.com

A great smile makes a great photo!

PA nEw wE TiEn LC TS oM E!

The Holidays are quickly approaching — but you still have time to get you and your loved ones in before all those family photos! Dr. bussey specializes in family, cosmetic and restorative dentistry, so call ToDAY to setup appointments for the whole family!

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November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

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TRAVEL

Stand Up and Paddle! For exercise and a unique view of the Intracoastal Waterway and beaches of Ponce Inlet, take a stand-up paddleboard tour with Three Brothers Boards, crafters of handmade wooden paddleboards that are shipped all over the world. This crossover sport, the fastest-growing watersport in the country, appeals to people of all ages and athletic abilities. While getting a full-body workout without a gym, cruise flat water or ride waves and view marine life and shore birds in their natural habitats. The rare birth of twin manatees has been witnessed on one such eco-tour, and these expert guides will ensure your fun as well as safety. After working up an appetite, enjoy seafood at Caribbean Jack’s on the marina near City Island in Daytona, with gorgeous views and a fun atmosphere.

Above: It doesn’t get much better than enjoying food, drinks, music and dancing in the sand at Golden Lion Café. Photo by Chris Austin Below: One of America’s great seafood dives, High Tides at Snack Jack sits directly on the ocean at Flagler Beach, attracting local surfers and visitors alike. Photo by David G. Massey

Three Brothers Boards 206 S. Beach Street Daytona 32114 386.310.4927 www.threebrothersboards.com

Experience Ormond Beach Go beyond Spring Break, Bike Week and Daytona 500

iles of quiet beach, walking hand in hand; boogie-boarding; sunbathing. Welcome to Ormond Beach, an oceanside community just north of Daytona. With this laid-back atmosphere, who knew that Ormond Beach, not Daytona, is the Birthplace of Speed? The “Palm Beach” of the early 1900s, Ormond was the winter retreat for wealthy industrialists. They brought their automobiles (the new invention) by train, holding time trials in the hard beach sand, where tires didn’t sink. Daytona was only crowned “the world’s most famous beach” and the “center of racing” by the press in the 1920s, when the aristocrats moved farther south for wider beaches, where cars were capable of 300 mph race speeds.

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

Ormond is full of rich history, replete with a Historical Society offering tours of Ormond’s Scenic Loop: the Fairchild Oak, Three Chimneys Sugar Mill Ruins, Ormond Indian Burial Mound and historic homes. An annual holiday tour of some of Ormond’s prestigious homes begins at the 1916 Anderson-Price Memorial Building. Our regular visits to Ormond entail outdoor activities—swimming, farmers markets, miles of bike riding and walking. The 20-mile sidewalk from Daytona through Ormond Beach to Flagler parallels the ocean, passing through North Peninsula State Park and Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area. Our visits also entail eating—lots of seafood. Our favorite in Ormond Beach is Hull’s Seafood, where we stand in line, order fresh,

feature:

Joanne Hayes

take a number and dine outdoors, no frills. In Flagler, High Tides at Snack Jack, a local surfer hangout since the 1950s, sits on the ocean and is always a crowd-pleaser (dog-friendly too). The full-service Flagler Fish Company offers an array of catches of the day. Golden Lion Café is a popular eatery and live music venue (get ready to dance in the sand!); for optimal ocean views, grab a seat on the upper deck. Oceanside Beach Bar and Grill, family-owned for 25 years, has a line for breakfast and loyal patrons who devour pizza at night. The ocean view while crossing the Intracoastal bridge causes instant relaxation while opening the horizon to new local discoveries. This is where we’ll retire, seeking out hidden gems and watching our (future) grandchildren frolic in the waves. n

Above: The Ormond Beach Historical Society owns the 1916 AndersonPrice Memorial Building, which is a part of their historic tour. Left: Tyler, the author’s son, learns stand-up paddleboarding on the Intracoastal Waterway in Daytona Beach from Brett Wasman of Three Brothers Boards.

Sugarbaby Mani/Pedi $35 Brazilian Wax $35

History Sixth Annual Holiday Tour of Homes Sunday, Dec. 9, 1 to 5:30 pm Some of Ormond’s most prestigious homes along A1A will be featured during the Sixth Annual Holiday Tour of Homes presented by the Ormond Beach Historical Society. Convenient shuttle buses will transport visitors to the homes, as there is no parking on A1A.

Ormond Beach Historical Society & Museum 38 East Granada Boulevard, Ormond Beach 32176 386.677.7005 www.ormondhistory.org See website for tour schedule. $20 adults; $7 children (ages 5-12).

Dining Caribbean Jack’s 721 Ballough Road Daytona Beach 32114 386.523.3000 www.caribbeanjacks.com Flagler Fish Company 180 S. Daytona Avenue Flagler Beach 32136 386.439.0000 www.flaglerfishcompany.com Golden Lion Café 500 Florida A1A Flagler Beach 32136 386.439.3004 www.goldenlioncafe.us High Tides at Snack Jack 2805 South Oceanshore Boulevard Flagler Beach 32136 386.439.3344 www.snackjacks.com Hull’s Seafood 111 West Granada Boulevard Ormond Beach 32174 386.677.1511 www.hullsseafood.com

Oceanside Beach Bar & Grill 1848 S. Oceanshore Boulevard Flagler Beach 32136 386.439.6345 www.oceansideflagler.com

Local Farmers Markets Daytona Beach Downtown Farmers Market Saturdays 8 a.m. to noon City Island, next to Jackie Robinson Park www.daytonabeach.com Flagler Beach Farmers Market Sunrise to early afternoon Friday and Saturday. Year-round, rain or shine. Downtown Flagler Beach by the ocean www.flaglerbeachfarmersmarket.com Ormond Beach Farmers Market Thursdays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. 25 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach www.ormondbeachfarmersmarket.com

Manicure • Pedicure • Waxing Gift Certificates Bridal Parties Welcome Open 7 Days Monday – Saturday 10am – 7pm Sunday 12pm – 6pm BUCKHEAD 256 Pharr Road • 404.814.2121 Complimentary Valet Parking VA HIGHLAND 1062 St. Charles Ave • 404.249.0013 www.sugarcoatbeauty.com

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

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granitetransformations.com/atlanta 3 7 4 0November/December D e k a l b T e C h N2012 O lO G y P kBuckhead w y • aT l a N Ta , G a 3 0 3 4 0 • 6 7 8 .6 7 2 . 3 9 1 1 26 | Simply

H O M E | FA S H I O N | W E L L N E S S

Simply stylish

home

Rooms Worth a View, Page 28

“I sort of fell in love with the concept of fewer rooms but more useful spaces, and this is a great entertaining space.” 27

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

The Buckhead salon of Bruce and Lisa Stein features recycled white oak floors in a chevron pattern. Photo by Sara Hanna

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

SIMPLY stylish

home

Rooms worth

a view Explore three of Buckhead’s most inspirational spaces feature:

Giannina Smith Bedford Photos: Sara Hanna

Rooms can alter moods, invoke awe and transport guests into another world. They can also be a lot of fun to decorate. The imaginative Buckhead residents who conceived these rooms broke the mold, creating unique spaces where they can entertain in style, showcase their creativity and bring a child’s imagination to life.

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

Miguel and Laura Castillo’s “Hollywood”-style media room is the ideal locale for a stay-athome movie night or a party.

owners: Miguel & Laura Castillo Room completed: 2010

Hollywood

Theme: Hollywood glam. Use: Media room and dessert room during parties.

Haven

Homeowners’ favorite part: The Neiman Marcus chandelier that inspired the décor.

Buckhead residents Miguel and Laura Castillo showcase their creativity—and their business—in a glamorous media room.

s owners of painting and remodeling firm Castle Painting, Miguel and Laura Castillo know a thing or two about interior design, a fact that’s clearly displayed in their North Buckhead brownstone. The fourbedroom, six-bath residence on four levels features a ground-floor media room fit for a celebrity—which is why they’ve dubbed the glammed-up lounge “the Hollywood room.” Converted from a plain, Berber-carpeted bonus room in 2010, the media room was inspired by Laura’s love for Ralph Lauren paint and a glittering chandelier she picked up at Neiman Marcus. After ripping up the carpet and laying a stone-like ceramic tile, the Castillos painted a portion of the walls in a two-tone pattern of Ralph Lauren Champagne Toast (with a Regent Metallics finish)

and Washed Down White, adding a little glow to the plush surroundings. “The whole look started with wanting to use the paint, and of course I found that chandelier and I said, ‘We have to have that in our house,’” says Laura, who along with helping run Castle Painting is CEO and Principal of iSolv Technology Solutions. “I know; how many people buy a chandelier and design a room around it?” Laura picked out white, turquoise and teal fabrics for the sofa, chairs and ottoman, which were custom upholstered by Outrageous Interiors in Alpharetta. The furniture sits atop a white faux sheepskin rug and is accented by rhinestone-studded silk and velvet pillows. Adding to the dazzling ambiance are mercury glass accents, mirrored shelves with teal candles and silver-finished side tables from Horchow.

The Castillos also installed a wet bar topped with Dark Emperador granite and inexpensive cabinets they painted in Washed Down White and then faux finished with a Cool Grey glaze to match the color scheme of the room. Today, the “Hollywood room” is a hangout for the Castillos’ five children, ages 6 to 26, who use it for Xbox tournaments and “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” marathons. The classy and sparkling lounge is also transformed into a whimsical “dessert room” during the Castillos’ parties. “We have it set up with all mini desserts with candles all over and people are like, ‘Wow,’” Laura says. “We love our house and we love to entertain, but we also love the fact that everything we do, we can showcase it for our [business’] benefit and people love it.” n November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

SIMPLY stylish

home

Bursts of contemporary color balance the rustic, recycled woods in Bruce and Lisa Stein’s salon.

owners: Bruce & Lisa Stein Room completed: 1996

stunning salon

sanctuary

Style: Mediterranean rustic with contemporary touches. Use: Entertaining, dining and sometimes a workroom. Homeowners’ favorite part: The floor-toceiling windows encircling the room.

Soaring ceilings and thoughtful touches make the bespoke Buckhead salon of Bruce and Lisa Stein the ideal place to entertain.

nspired by a grandiose salon in the Montgomery, Ala., home of architect Bobby McAlpine, Bruce and Lisa Stein created a combined living and dining area in their Buckhead home that can only be described in one word: dramatic. “I sort of fell in love with the concept of fewer rooms but more useful spaces, and this is a great entertaining space,” says Lisa, co-owner and designer of jewelry companies LA Stein and Deux Filles Pearl. Once you pass the foyer of the 7,500-squarefoot home designed by McAlpine, you enter the salon, which boasts 15-foot windows that welcome an abundance of natural light. Two standout items on first glance are the recycled white oak floors in a chevron pattern and a rus-

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

tic pecky cypress ceiling. “I like all the wood,” Lisa says. “My father was a woodworker and I was raised with wood all over, so I really enjoy that part of it.” Decorated by interior designer Nancy Braithwaite, the salon has a custom gray sofa from New York City’s De Angelis, glasstopped coffee table from Scott Antique Markets and an oversized wood table picked up by the Steins at the Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA)’s Dining By Design annual fundraiser 16 years ago. Surrounded by Donghia dining chairs, the table has been a gathering spot for a variety of special events, including birthday parties, two wine dinners for the High Museum’s Atlanta Wine Auction and a bar mitzvah. “We’ve

had tons of people and it flows out to the backyard,” Lisa says. “It’s sort of this dramatic space and it’s fun to entertain.” Integrated into the rustic Mediterranean feel of the salon are pops of color from bright green pillows, a vibrant red throw and four digital floral prints by Alexandra Penney arranged above the oversized fireplace. A California native, Lisa also incorporated a hint of her home state with manzanita branches in a gilt vase that Bill Hudgins from Buckhead’s Lush Life painted a lacquered bright coral. Throughout the room, candles of various sizes add an almost theatrical, Old-World feel to the ambiance. “When we are entertaining we light all the candles,” Lisa says. “It has that feeling at night of being in a monastery.” n

tree house

wonderland Buckhead’s Sue Nardelli creates an imaginative playroom— complete with a faux tree—for her only grandchild.

ast winter, Buckhead resident Sue Nardelli, wife of former The Home Depot CEO Bob Nardelli, decided to transform her French-style guestroom into an outdoor-themed fantasyland for her grandson, Bobby, who is now 2. By no means a standard playspace, the room is anchored by a gargantuan manmade tree trunk that is hollow and split into two levels—a downstairs Winnie the Pooh “clubhouse” and an upstairs pirate-themed hideaway. “Eighteenth-century French just was not where it needed to be with a 1-year-old boy because he was just all over the place,” she says. “I remember my boys always wanted to climb trees … so I said, ‘Why don’t we do that up here?’” Nardelli scoured the Internet for ideas and enlisted the help of decorator Linda Castle of Decorated Designs for interior touches like carpet with kid-friendly cushioning and

a pinecone-accented overhead light fixture. Without a real blueprint—“No one has a pattern for an indoor tree,” she says—Nardelli’s onsite maintenance man built the bones of the tree in about a week. Decorative artist Stewart Huntington of Marietta-based Muralsfauxu2 then stepped in to finish the exterior with chicken wire and a heavy canvaslike material, which he painted to imitate the bark of a trunk. “Stewart was so creative and could take an idea that I would have and turn it into a masterpiece. He was wonderful to collaborate with during the project. It was like two kids in a candy shop,” Nardelli says. Huntington covered the walls in a freehand mural of animal-filled woods and painted the ceiling a sky turning from day to night. A painted castle on the night side of the room even lights up with glow-in-the-dark fireworks (there are also glow-in-the-dark stars in the upstairs pirate cave). From start to finish, the fanciful

playroom took about a month to complete. “The one thing that shocks me with kids is it’s not like they’re shocked seeing a tree in the bedroom. They walk in and it’s like, ‘Oh, it’s a tree,’” Nardelli says. “I know that as they get bigger it isn’t going to be nearly as interesting, but if they like the tree there are all kinds of things you can do.” Already Nardelli is thinking of incorporating a slide or swing into the tree when her grandson gets older. If a granddaughter comes along, she may even add a “cottage in the woods” for her to play in. The playroom isn’t just for the little tykes, however. When the Nardellis’ four grown children (in their 20s and 30s) are home, everyone hangs out in the playroom. “Everyone tends to gather in the playroom and just hang out with Bobby,” Nardelli says. “Even my mom, who is in her 80s, loves sleeping in the room when she comes to visit.” n

The playroom’s two-level tree house fits right in among the murals of animals and the woods.

owner: Sue Nardelli Room completed: 2012 Theme: Children’s tree house. Use: Playroom. Homeowner’s favorite part: Watching her grandson go from place to place and “just enjoy every inch of the room.”

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

SIMPLY stylish

fashion

Holiday Party Wear

Back in Buckhead: Katharine Kidd and Crawford Shippey return home to open a high-end boutique showcasing Kidd’s fashions.

Buckhead’s sweetheart returns to her roots

“Our jumper is extremely feminine, yet very trendy. It’s the perfect outfit for holiday events and gatherings. The delicateness of the draped silk tulle combined with the idea of a pant suit makes this such a unique piece and a must-have for the party season.” Stretch Tropical Wool Jumper with Silk-Draped Panels, Crystal Beaded Trim: $1,095, Katharine Kidd Boutiques and KatharineKidd.com.

Dressed to the Nines this Holiday Season Katharine Kidd shares her on-trend styles for navigating the year’s winter events. Outfit Photos by Zoey Grossman

Designer to the stars Katharine Kidd opens a local store story: Olivia Putnal

t’s hard to believe that Katharine Kidd began designing clothes only two years ago. The Collier Hills native and alumna of the Paideia School is now among the few who style and dress A-listers like Kate Beckinsale and Rachel McAdams. Los Angeles-based Kidd recently extended her line by opening her second store in the heart of Peachtree Hills. She says that because Buckhead is her hometown, the decision was an easy one. “We opened our first namesake boutique in LA last November with the idea of designing it to feel like a woman’s boudoir-I wanted it to feel warm and intimate. We did the same thing for our Atlanta store,” Kidd says. Kidd has been fascinated by fashion since she knew how to dress herself. “I took various sewing classes throughout my childhood, which led to costume making and even designing and making my first prom dress. I started reading Vogue and Elle in the third grade and plastered my whole wall with fashion photos. I’ve always been sketching and dreaming up designs, but not until my late 20s did I

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

decide I wanted to make it my career,” Kidd explains. When Kidd isn’t working, you can find her spending time with her husband, Crawford Shippey (an alumnus of The Lovett School, who is CEO of the company), and their son Skyler and daughter Grayson. When it comes to this season’s style, Kidd is more than onboard with the trends. “My favorite thing to do in winter months is layer, using both feminine and masculine styles. For example, I love a lacy top with a chunky wool sweater and slouchy trousers, or a tuxedo jacket with a full skirt and pointy-toed stilettos,” Kidd says. As for Atlanta’s style, she’s always impressed. “Atlanta women as a whole are impeccably dressed—most with a modern, feminine twist,” she says. “I always feel at home when I come back to Atlanta and go out to dinner—everyone is dressed to the nines, which is such a contrast to the casual lifestyle in LA. I am almost always overdressed when I go out in LA. My Southern roots have really driven my design aesthetic.” n

Most Exciting Fall and Winter Trend:

“Vibrant jewel-tone colors are really on trend right now and look great on so many skin types.”

connect with kidd Two of her best bets in buckhead: Aria 490 East Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta 30305 404.233.7673 www.aria-atl.com PH Wine Merchants 200 Peachtree Hills Avenue N.E., Atlanta 30305 404.949.0702 www.phwinemerchant.com

Holiday Travel Wear “It’s always important to look great, but still be comfortable when traveling. Our silk wool tuxedo pant has a nice, loose fit but is still sophisticated and sexy. When paired with our ruched button top, it makes a perfect fashion-forward outfit, but still maintains the comfortable feel.” Cap-Sleeve Top with Ruched Silk Chiffon Yoke: $355, Tuxedo Pant with Draped Pockets: $380, Katharine Kidd Boutiques and KatharineKidd.com.

New Year’s Eve Wear “The sequin dress is one of my favorites. Every woman has to have a little sparkle on New Year’s Eve—and this is the perfect dress for that. This particular blue is such a great hue and makes this dress so much fun. It’s a guaranteed show stopper!” L/S Fitted Stretch Sequin Dress with Braided Trim: $2,500, Katharine Kidd Boutiques and KatharineKidd.com.

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

S IMP LY ST YL IS H W EL L NESS

Photo by Raftermen.

CORE Buckhead is just one of the gyms with classes available in a 10 Pack.

Atlanta Activewear stocks stylish and hardto-find workout duds.

s Pressed in Buckhead, Dtox juices come in a rainbow of colors.

t The Spa at Mandarin Oriental offers a hot tub for extra relaxation pre- and posttreatment.

Get-healthy gift guide 4 great ideas, no shipping required story:

Jennifer Bradley Franklin

he holidays are upon us and as most of us are building our gift lists, we’re also contemplating how we will survive the most stressful season of the year. Here are some of our favorite wellness-focused gift ideas that anyone on your holiday list will love—even if it’s yourself.

If a Six Pack is Good, a 10 Pack is Better

10 Pack www.10-pack.com Atlanta Activewear 996 Virginia Avenue N.E. Atlanta 30306 404.532.1975 www.atlantaactivewear.com Dtox 3210 Roswell Road, Suite G Atlanta 30305 404.848.8466 www.dtoxjuice.com Spa at Mandarin Oriental 3376 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.995.7526 www.mandarinoriental.com /atlanta/spa

Group fitness classes are a great way to work out, offering more accountability and instruction than sweating solo, but without the hefty personal training price tag. If you’re not sure which class your fitness lover will like best, 10 Pack is a great solution. Founder Cara Weaver customizes a pack of 10 classes—including choices from Buckhead studios Flywheel, CORE, BLAST900, Atlanta Hot Yoga and more—to suit any fitness lover’s preferences and goals. Rather than paying the a la carte rate, you get to enjoy a multi-class price (read: cheaper). Ten Pack is a perfect gift, Weaver says, because “you’re giving the gift of choice and health all in one.”

Juicy News

The benefits of juicing are well known: cleansing, weight loss, hydration and healing. However, unless an expensive juicer is part of your home equipment, drinking fresh-squeezed juice regularly can be a challenge. Enter Dtox juice delivery. The Buckhead juicery presses fresh fruits

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

and vegetables daily and delivers it to area homes and businesses, making meal replacement and cleansing easy. One of the company’s popular—and gift-worthy—options is the “Juice ’Til Dinner” program. Dtox delivers four, 16-ounce bottles (glass, so they are eco-friendly) to your door for $32, including Dtox Water, Green and Red juices (both are chock full of freshly pressed veggies and fruit) and Brazil Nut Milk (which tastes like a milkshake). “These can be delivered to your door or office each day, making a healthy choice very convenient,” says founder Shannon Sliger.

Stylish Threads

Virginia Highland-based Atlanta Activewear understands that looking good is important, even when you’re working out or taking a yoga class. The shop on Virginia Avenue stocks its racks full of designer duds and hard-to-find labels like Elisabetta Rogiani, RESE Activewear, Buckhead-based Spanx Activewear and MPG Sport, all of which make high-end clothing for running, cycling and yoga. The store also carries non-workout wear brands. Don’t

know your friend or family member’s size? The store offers gift cards—the perfect, one-size-fits-all present.

Working Out the Kinks

After an intense workout, nothing feels better than a soothing massage. Buckhead’s new enclave for relaxation, The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Atlanta, is quickly establishing itself as a destination for spa services. One of the spa’s popular signature offerings— dubbed the Peaches & Cream— includes a full-body apricot kernel scrub to slough off winter’s dry skin, a massage using Eastern and Western techniques (customized to work on problem areas) and a meditationinducing red clay scalp massage. The treatment ($280 for 1 hour and 50 minutes) incorporates Georgia-sourced peach essential oil and is available year round. When visiting the spa, make sure you arrive early to take full advantage of the opulent relaxation areas, complete with sauna, whirlpool, steam room and healthy snacks. Little touches—like a pre-treatment foot washing ritual, peach tea and Asianinspired essential oils—make an experience here extra special. n

Hello my Fun Fit Friends! Here’s the BestyBody “BEST” Body – A study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine sites that

You are 43 percent LESS likely to catch a cold this year if you exercise at least 5 times a week. I wonder how much that percentage increases if you work out 6 times a week?

Energy – There are a lot of 80/20 rules out there but this one is

my favorite. At your next meal eat only 80% of what you put on your plate. Put the remaining 20% away. Wait 20 minutes, drink a glass of water & if you are still hungry, then finish it off. If not, then your lunch for the next day is made!

Self – I’m hoping I get this song stuck in your head. “What have

you done for me lately” (oooh, ooooh, ooh yeah!). While Ms. Jackson (if you’re nasty) was referring to her no-good mate, I am referring to you. What have you done for you lately? If you can’t think of anything in the past week, then stop right now & do something just for you. If you don’t, that song will be stuck in your head until you do.

Thoughts –

This is a big one. You can change the world!! At least the one you live in. It’s actually pretty easy. Just swap out these two words. Have & Get. Ex: “I have to go work out”. Swap-a-rooni “I get to go work out!” Doesn’t that sound like more fun? You just changed a task into a treat. Now that is world changing!

You! – How are you going to change

your world today? What “have to” task will you change to a “get to” treat? Post your newly found daily delights, which are kind of like Dairy Delites, but less calories, on the BestyBody Facebook page. You scream, I scream, we all scream for reframe! Big Love, Joy & Abundance, Betsy Happily Submitted by BestyBody. “Your Best Body” A Soulful approach to Whole Self Training, Pranic Healing and Access Bars

Spread the Word! If you like any or all of this, please Facebook, Tweet, Make a YouTube video, or share it through interpretive dance. Just let folks know that you are into it! Are you ready to find your Best You? Give me a call or shoot me and email, and we can chat. I promise, that part won’t hurt!

Twitter: @BestyBody Facebook: /BestyBody 404-787-3932 www.bestybody.com betsexton@gmail.com

www.brazilianwax.com November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

THE HIGHLAND PSYCH

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Have that Dazzling smile you’ve always dreamed of!

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November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

9/1/10

7:15:45 A

A RT V I E W | L I T E R A RY | O N S TA G E

Simply arts & entertainment

Kate Gaul prepares young Buckhead dancers for “Nutcracker.”

on stage

Dancing with the Stars (of Tomorrow), Page 45

Photo: Sara Hanna

I remember my grandmother saying to me when I was 7: “So you’re going to be a ballerina when you grow up?” And I said, “No, I want to be a teacher.” 37

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

SIMPLY A&E

art vie w

Right: Mark Lotti of Classic Cheesecakes & Cakes left the IT world for the creative realm of dramatic desserts. Below: Mark Lotti’s tiered cake is stunningly simple with an elegant black-andwhite stripe design. Photos by Kristen Alexander Photography

Above: She’s so cute, you can just eat her up. This flapper cake created by Highland Bakery’s Karen Portaleo was the centerpiece of a recent fundraising gala. Photo by Louis Lindic

Left: Karen Portaleo uses her artistic background in clay to turn out exotic pieces of edible art. Photo Courtesy of Highland Bakery

(Almost) too pretty to eat I Three Buckhead bakers turn cakes into art story:

H.M. Cauley

s it art, or is it dessert? That’s the question frequently asked by guests lucky enough to find their forks poised over a stunning creation by one of these local bakers. Karen Portaleo, Evin Dominguez and Mark Lotti are known as three of the city’s top cake makers for their ability to turn the last course into the main attraction.

Karen Portaleo Highland Bakery Buckhead Bakehouse 3221B Cains Hill Place Atlanta 30305 404.660.9365 www.buckheadbakehouse.com Classic Cheesecakes & Cakes 3125 E. Shadowlawn Avenue Atlanta 30305 404.233.9636 www.classiccandc.com Highland Bakery 3353 Peachtree Road Atlanta 30326 678.904.2146 www.highlandbakery.com

The 3-foot-tall sculpture of a flapper was meticulously styled, from the sassy hairdo to the hand-painted gold swirls on her fur-trimmed jacket. But Karen Portaleo’s centerpiece for a Kate’s Club fundraising gala was more than just a work of art: It was completely edible. For more than six years, Portaleo has turned out exotic cakes for customers of Highland Bakery’s branches in Virginia Highland, Midtown and Buckhead. Her imaginative works, nationally recognized when she won the “Halloween Wars” bake-off on the Food Network last fall, range from a box festooned with beads, pearls

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

and ribbons to sculptures of the Owl and the Pussycat. They’ve also earned her a loyal following of customers (including A-listers Demi Moore, Jane Lynch, Sir Elton John, Usher and Cameron Diaz) who trust her to come up with something inventive. That’s where her formal training kicks in. “I worked in clay before I stumbled into cakes,” explains Portaleo, who attended the Atlanta College of Art in Midtown. Portaleo works with the bakery’s chefs to come up with flavors and textures that she can mold, then she lets her imagination run wild. For former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young’s 80th birthday party, she created 12 cakes, including a 36-inch spinning globe marked with flags for every country the former ambassador had visited. For the Kate’s Club gala, the flapper weighed close to 100 pounds, feeding yellow cake to 300 guests. “People just can’t believe these are cakes,” she says. “Others say they can’t believe they taste so good. I love seeing the looks on their faces.”

Mark Lotti

Classic Cheesecakes & Cakes

Getting out of the computer business opened the door for Mark Lotti to become a cake wizard. After an unhappy IT year in Minnesota, the Georgia native moved to Atlanta in 1986 to figure out his next step. A friend who owned Classic Cheesecakes asked him to pitch in when it got busy, and from there, “it just sort of happened,” Lotti says. “I couldn’t even boil water, no less bake a cake.” He stayed with it and was part of the expansion when the company moved from its location at Briarcliff and LaVista roads to Buckhead and added cakes to the official name. Six years ago, Lotti went from employee to owner while still keeping his hand in the batter. “My No. 1 inspiration is my client,” Lotti says. “Since 99 percent of the business is wedding-related, that means the bride. What everyone is wearing, what flowers they’re carrying are usually the starting points.” Lotti’s edible masterpieces have included cakes up to seven feet tall. He recently designed a dessert resem-

Above: Evin Dominguez of Buckhead Bakehouse grew up in a creative family and now uses her own artistic talents to design memorable desserts. Photo by Kellen Stennett

Right: Dominguez topped this fourtiered buttercream cake with a handmade sugar design that wove together a bride and groom’s new initials.

Great Food LUNCH & DINNER TAKEOUT OR DELIVERY 404-816-0306 For catering inquiries please contact Joy via e-mail at joy@joydelivered.com Open weekdays for lunch Saturday and Sunday for brunch

Photo by Sapphire Photography

bling a stack of pillows for the bride of an NFL player. He crafted his most intricate creation in 2000, when he incorporated more than 10,000 handmade sugar pieces and an edible gold chalice into a cake for the wedding of Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell. No matter what the design, Lotti says 95 percent of his work is edible. “I also do sculptures in cheesecake, which nobody else does,” Lotti says. “In the 20 years I’ve been doing this, it’s still a surprise to guests. They just don’t anticipate creations like these will be cheesecake.”

Evin Dominguez Buckhead Bakehouse

After working in several local kitchens, including the former Swissôtel in Buckhead and Canoe in Vinings, Evin Dominguez opened her own kitchen two years ago. Since then, the Culinary Institute of America grad has wowed Atlanta’s sweet-loving community by combining her passion for art with dessert. “My mom was a graphic designer, my dad was an architect and I have

always been artistic,” says Dominguez, who grew up in Garden Hills. “I also love food. But I didn’t put the two together until high school, when I worked in the pastry department of the Swissôtel.” From her first foray making peanut butter pies, Dominguez has graduated to three-dimensional character cakes. “People bring me pictures of their pets, and I turn them into cakes,” she says. “I just did Elmo. A lot of the business is traditional wedding cakes, but often the groom will want a stadium or a tomahawk for his.” Dominguez recently bought Full Cup, a bakery and coffeehouse at 3794 Roswell Road. She’d been looking to buy a bakery for some time as an outlet for her creative endeavors when the seasonal wedding cake business slows. But Full Cup, known for its healthy breads and snacks, is a bit of a departure from Dominguez’s usual menu of over-the-top, decadent desserts. “I know, cake is not healthy at all,” she says with a laugh. “But maybe I can add a few gingerbread houses [to Full Cup’s menu] instead.” n

NOW OPEN FOR DINNER WEDNESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY

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316 Pharr Road Atlanta, Georgia 30305

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November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

SIMPLY A&E

L it erary

Katharine Suttles and her daughter Katharine Kinney

Oh, Bee-have! The family tradition of a Brookhaven mom inspires a new book story:

very parent wishes they knew the magical secret to help kids behave. And not just behave, but to adopt a spirit of goodwill toward siblings, playmates and, yes, Mom and Dad as well. Brookhaven’s Katharine Kinney has a mom who knew such a secret. It worked when she was growing up in Buckhead, and she’s used it successfully on her own kids. She’s put the formula into a book published by Southern Goodness that is both a parenting tool and an engaging story that’s been captivating young imaginations since May. In The Bee Good Fairy, kids learn important lessons of kindness and consideration that earn recognition when they’re “caught” by the Fairy. The story is based on Kinney’s childhood memories. “If I took care of my pet really well for the week or did a good job sharing, then I was ‘caught’ being good, and the Bee Good Fairy came to see me,” says Kinney, owner of the Egg’s Nest. (As of press time, the Brookhaven store is moving to a yet-to-be-determined location.) “My mom would tell me to put my shoes by the bedroom door, and in the morning, there would be a treat in them. I can’t remember ever being disappointed.” But Kinney does remember being shocked to learn that other kids never

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

H.M. Cauley

heard of the Fairy. “I thought she was like Santa and just came to everybody!” Kinney laughs. When her own son and daughter were small, Kinney learned that the Fairy didn’t originate with her mother. “It really started with my mother,” says Katharine Suttles, Kinney’s mom. “When I was little, she’d tell my brother, sister and me that if we were really good, the Bee Good Fairy would come. We couldn’t wait to get up the next morning and find a nickel—that was a fortune!” Suttles never quizzed her mother about the idea and says that her 100-year-old aunt has no recollection of it. But she continued the game with Kinney. “The whole idea is to promote thoughtful behavior through positive reinforcement,” Suttles says. “That’s how my mother and I both intended it and how Katharine used it with her own children.” Now adults, Kinney’s kids have fond memories of the Fairy’s visits. “My daughter remembers there being ‘fairy dust’ on her shoes,” Kinney says. “I can’t remember doing that—it would have been such a mess!” For the book, Kinney did the illustrations, and Suttles wrote the words. They also created a small plush bee so kids

have a visual to leave on their dresser or bookshelf as a reminder to be good. There are pages of tips for parents and suggestions for being creative with the concept. The idea is not unlike The Elf on the Shelf, a holiday story by Marietta authors Carol Aebersold and Chanda Bell about an elf who keeps an eye out for good children. “I didn’t want this book to be about a character who comes just during the holidays,” Kinney says. So far, The Bee Good Fairy has sold more than 250 copies locally since its debut in late May. “We wanted to share our tradition with other moms and hope they’ll enjoy it as much as we have,” Suttles says. “It really helps; we’ve had people tell us how well it worked even with potty training. It never crossed my mind to put it in a book, so I’m proud Katharine did. Just the fact she remembered it is great.” n The book and accompanying fairy are available online for $29 at www.beegoodfairy.com or by calling the publisher at 404.516.8257.

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November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

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November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

SIMPLY A&E

on stage

Atlanta Ballet’s Kate Gaul with a quartet of student dancers in Buckhead. “I knew right from the get-go that I was interested and driven to teach.” Photo by Sara Hanna

Dancing with the stars (of tomorrow) story:

Wendell Brock

ate Gaul grew up in England, started a dance school in the Netherlands and came to Atlanta in 2004 when her American-born husband, Patrick, got a job transfer from Holland. Noticing a sign for Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education’s studio at Chastain Square, she signed her then-5-year-old daughter up for classes— even though she didn’t think her family would be here long enough to put down roots. That was eight years ago. Today Gaul, who is certified to teach ballet by London’s Royal Academy of Dance, runs the ballet’s Buckhead school and is fully entrenched in the community. Her family lives on Ivy Road; her two children attend North Atlanta High School; and right now she and her students are pirouetting all over the neighborhood performing snippets from the ballet’s holiday “Nutcracker” which will open at the Fox Theatre in December. (See sidebar.) As the principal of the ballet’s Buckhead presence, a good bit of Gaul’s time is devoted to administrative duties and parental handholding, but she does manage to teach about 10 hours a week. The center offers instruction for all ages, from “Mommy & Me” classes for 2-year-olds to adult-level Zumba and ballet. Though Gaul performed some when she was younger, she no longer dances professionally. We recently sat down with her in her Buckhead office—which is decorated with a tiny

Atlanta Ballet educator trains Buckhead dancers for “Nutcracker” figurine of a waving Queen Elizabeth—to talk about her life and work. How did you get into ballet? My background has always been dancing and teaching. I knew right from the get-go that I was interested and driven to teach. … I can remember my grandmother saying to me when I was 7: “So you are going to be a ballerina when you grow up?” And I said, “No, I want to be a teacher.” I love the process. I love working with the child and watching the development. It’s not always easy. So when you get a child who’s worked and worked and worked and you watch them blossom, it’s very special. Tell us about “Nutcracker.” The nice thing is that it does involve everybody, the company and the school. … It overtakes the lives of those who are participating, but it doesn’t consume us in a negative way. The Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education also has locations in Midtown and Cobb. Is there a friendly competition to get your students in “Nutcracker”? To be honest I think the biggest thing for us is not “Did yours get in?” or “Did ours get in?” It’s more about who didn’t get in and who do we need to pick up off the floor and make sure they are OK. … For some of them, it’s the first experience they have had auditioning. How do you like living in Buckhead? I love the fact that we have a very busy central part,

but where we live, there are trees everywhere. We had come from a 1970s contemporary home, tall and narrow with no gardening space, and I am English. I said, “I want something old, and I want a garden.” Of course I went out in my yard the first couple of weeks, and I got bitten by mosquitoes and chiggers. Anything that was there, it had me. It was like, “Welcome to America.” n

The Kate Gaul file Personal: Originally from Birmingham, England.

Married to Patrick D. Gaul. Children Joseph and Ellisa. Family attends Holy Spirit Catholic Church. One thing she’s never without: An umbrella. Major difference between U.S. and England:

“In England, you talk about places by which pub they are closest to, and here it’s which church they are closest to.” HOLIDAY PERFORMANCES “Nutcracker” Dec. 7-26. Fox Theatre. 404.892.3303. www.atlantaballet.com Students from the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education will be performing “Nutcracker” excerpts during the holidays at Buckhead Diner, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman-Marcus and the Four Seasons Hotel. Check Atlanta Ballet website for details.

Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education (Buckhead location) Chastain Square 4279 Roswell Road, Suite 703, Atlanta 30342 404.303.1501. www.atlantaballet.com

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

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November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

R E V I E W | W I N E | F O O D I E J O U R N A L | t a s t e m a k er | R E ST A U R A N TS

Simply delicious

tastemaker

Sugar Rush, Page 54

Decatur’s Cakes & Ale was recently named one of Bon Appetit’s Top 10 Best New Restaurants in America 2012.

Cake & Ale’s Eric Wolitzky spends his days leading a team of half a dozen at one of the metro’s only full-service restaurant bakeries.

Photo by James Camp

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

S IM P LY D EL I C IOUS

R E VIE W

Fans, but no frills Pasta Vino fills niche with homey Italian cooking feature:

Wendell Brock Photos: Sara Hanna

he table next to me is a sea of red— plates of pasta covered in marinara sauce. A bottle of Pinot Grigio sits nearly empty. While her date goes to check out the facilities, the lady at the table begins to engage me in conversation. She and her companion love this place so much they drive in from Marietta frequently. Maybe I should try the eggplant Parmesan. It’s the best in town. At a corner banquette, a group of young women order salads and slices of pizza while dissing their boyfriends and their jobs. Welcome to Pasta Vino. You can surely find trendier pizza parlors or posher places to eat Italian in Atlanta. But if you are looking for old-fashioned linguini with clam sauce or chicken Florentine in an inviting atmosphere with a loyal following, this Buckhead favorite has got you covered. According to owner Nancy Miller, Pasta Vino opened in 1989 as Broadway Danny’s. It was established by the same family of New York Italians behind Abruzzi, an upscale Italian place that flourished at Peachtree Battle Shopping Center before closing in the early 2000s. Miller bought

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

her “pizza dive”—by then renamed Pasta Vino—from the original proprietors in 2006, and she considers this hanger-on in the lower corner of Peachtree Battle Promenade a diamond in the rough. Pasta Vino, by Miller’s own admission, is neither fancy nor fashionable. The recipes— for hearty peasant dishes like baked ziti and pizza margherita—have not changed in years. Yet the restaurant is beloved by many for its home-style cooking, casual ambiance, reasonable prices and a staff of servers who have acquired faithful customers of their own. Miller treasures her crew, most of whom have been on the job for more than 10 years. You can tell this by the staff photographs that occupy the main wall of the pumpkin-colored dining room. Tomas Vargas started as a dishwasher at Abruzzi when he was 14; today he’s Pasta Vino’s head cook. “It’s the staff that really makes it,” the restaurateur tells me. To be sure, on my first visit, a single server rushed breathlessly from table to table, trying to manage a lunchtime crowd of well-dressed ladies who appeared to be mostly neighborhood types. The overtaxed server tried his best,

Above: Inviting and casual, inside and out, Pasta Vino triumphs with classics like eggplant Parmesan.

bless his heart, but he somehow left me and my guest with two breadbaskets and a rather uneven experience. The focaccia was dry, but the olive oil we dipped it in was rich and fruity. My date, a Rhode Island home-girl, declared the fried calamari tasty, if chewy. Yet we both enthused over the marinara dipping sauce, which had obviously been simmered long and lovingly from good ingredients. Entrée portions are as huge as they are delicious. Eggplant Parmesan was nearly definitive, nesting on a bed of spaghetti doused in that fabulous marinara. My guest described the gnocchi in creamy pink salmon-andvodka sauce as “the softest ever.” Veal piccata, a dish that once seemed quite deluxe but now feels a bit dated, was just what you’d expect— tender medallions in a tangy sauce of butter, lemon and white wine. I washed it down with a glass of Gabbiano Pinot Grigio and chatted with my newfound friends at the next table. By this time the man had returned to his seat and was fairly drooling over my veal. I visited the restaurant twice, and both times I ended up with too much food to think about pizza, so I decided to call one night for takeout. I got the Bologna pie—six enor-

The restaurant is beloved by many for its home-style cooking, casual ambiance, reasonable prices and staff of servers. mous slices of chewy-crusted, New York-style pizza laden with meaty Bolognese sauce, Italian sausage and mozzarella. This was seriously good stuff and, at $20, a good bargain, too. I’m starting to think that pizza may be the way to go at Pasta Vino. Add a salad, and call it a meal (or three). Among the desserts, the tiramisù was a decadent pile of booze-soaked cake and whipped cream; nothing special, really. If you must have something sweet, consider the pistachio cupcakes, green-tinted confections topped with cream-cheese frosting and flecked with nuts. The wine list, by the way, is a safe sampling of mostly American and Italian bottles, many in the $30 range. Given the refined state of Italian dining in America today, Pasta Vino is not likely to win any awards for innovation or inspiration. But under Miller and Vargas, it remains a perfectly fine, frequently delicious, middle-of-the-road trattoria that caters to Buckhead’s Chianti klatch. n

Clockwise from left: Classic veal piccata packs the zing of lemon and capers; Bologna pizza is meat-laden and delicious; baked ziti sits in a pool of house-made red sauce; and tiramisu and pistachio cupcakes are among the sweet offerings.

Pasta Vino 2391 Peachtree Road N.E., Atlanta 30305 404.231.4946 www.pastavinoatlanta.com Starters and salads: $2-$10. Entrées: $10-$22. Bottom line: Better than Olive Garden but not exactly Sotto Sotto.

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

S IM P LY D E L I C IOUS

win e

Asian-style sea bass at SOHO works well with French Champagne.

Photo by Laurent-Perrier Champagne

Photo by Mia McCorkle

bubbles & bites Local pros offer tips on pairing sparkling wines with food Frank Smith Owner of SOHO, Vinings

Brian Lewis,

Matt Bradford,

Proprietor, STG Trattoria, Buckhead

Wine and Beverage Director, Canoe, Vinings

Jasmin Reyes Scott, story:

Hope S. Philbrick

Sommelier & Owner, Taverna Fiorentina, Vinings

Linda Torres Alarcón

ncorking a bottle of bubbly yields a distinctive pop and fizz that are welcome sounds at any seasonal celebration. But knowing what to plate alongside those flutes can be daunting. For tips on pairing food with sparkling wines, we checked in with five local experts. One clear fact: Bubbly isn’t just for caviar anymore.

Portrait Photo Credits: Brian Lewis. Joe Hans of The Reynolds Group Frank Smith Mia McCorkle Jasmin Reyes Scott Christopher Hornaday Linda Torres ALARCÓN Jonathan Orozco Matt Bradford Kristen Alexander

“Everyone does oysters, cheese, strawberries,” says Frank Smith, owner of SOHO in Vinings. “I think French Champagnes have more yeast and body and can stand up to anything. We have an Asian-style sea bass dish on the menu served with bok choy and purple sticky rice that is my best recommendation for pairing with it.” Indeed, though bubbles are commonly served as an apéritif and digestif, they can give the main course a surprising lift. “Champagne works really well with pasta dishes and lighter meats like quail or cold smoked salmon,” says Matt Bradford, wine and beverage director at Canoe in

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

Vinings, who highly recommends rosé Brut for such dishes. “Champagne can go well with a seared foie gras,” says Brian Lewis, proprietor of STG Trattoria in Buckhead. “A nice dry blanc de blancs can cut through the beautiful fattiness of duck liver in a way I think can be perfect. It’s also stylistically perfect with the sort of chalky flavors of Gorgonzola cheese and delicious with quail.” “Scallops over lemon risotto would be nice with Prosecco,” says Jasmin Reyes Scott, sommelier and owner of Taverna Fiorentina in Vinings, who also likes to surprise palates with unexpected match-ups: “Champagne and candy canes actually go together!

Sommelier, The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead

The effervescence of the bubbles with the mint and the sugar elements in both make this surprising pairing work—the brighter the Champagne, the better.” “Don’t do dessert with a true Champagne unless there is some residual sugar in the wine,” cautions Linda Torres Alarcón, sommelier at The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead. “Dry, toasty, aged Champagnes really need a savory dish to pair with”—such as oysters, seafood, sushi, cheese or charcuterie. “Lambrusco or Prosecco is a far better choice for dessert.” The bottom line: Be experimental. Champagnes and sparkling wines are among “the most versatile food wines,” notes Bradford, “so you’re more likely to have a positive pairing than something that isn’t flattering.” Cheers! n

Canoe 4199 Paces Ferry Road N.W. Atlanta 30339 770.432.2663 www.canoeatl.com SOHO 4300 Paces Ferry Road S.E. Atlanta 30339 770.801.0069 www.sohoatlanta.com STG Trattoria 102 West Paces Ferry Road N.W., Atlanta 30305 404.844.2879 www.stgtrattoria.com Taverna Fiorentina 3324 Cobb Parkway S.E. Atlanta 30339 770.272.9825 www.tavernafiorentina.com The Ritz-Carlton Buckhead 3434 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.237.2700 www.ritzcarlton.com

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November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

S IM P LY D EL I C IOUS

foodie journal | Culinary News & Notes story:

Jennifer Bradley Franklin

Doc in a Bottle

frosty brews

ost people prefer their beer ice-cold, but Emory grad Ari Fleischer has taken cold beer to a whole new level with Frozen Pints. One night in April 2010, Fleischer’s friend spilled his craft beer into an ice cream maker and the delicious result sparked an idea for the business-minded entrepreneur. Now, the company—which began selling its creamy pints in June 2012 in local liquor stores, including Tower Beer, Wine & Spirits in Buckhead—offers flavors like Honey IPA, Peach Lambic, Malted Milk Chocolate Stout, Brown Ale Chip, Vanilla Bock and others. Unlike some other beer-flavored ice creams on the market, Frozen Pints isn’t virgin; it

has anywhere from 1 percent to 3.1 percent alcohol and derives its main flavor profile directly from beer, rarely adding other ingredients to influence the flavor. “There are so many amazing flavors in the craft beer world and the whole point of what we’re doing is to use that as much as possible,” Fleischer explains. “So instead of coming up with a delicious flavor and adding beer, we find beers that have unique flavor profiles and try to exhibit them as best as possible.” And, because the churning process pumps a strategically limited amount of air into the ice cream, it has a texture much like gelato—very dense and flavorful. Cheers to that! Frozen Pints www.frozenpints.com

Don’t we all wish we could find a magic elixir designed to take away all our vices—from smoking to worrying to overindulging? Little did we know, the answer might be right in our backyard. Sandy Springs-based Remedy Water, developed by board-certified chiropractor Stephen Bayani and available for purchase online, is a homeopathic treatment that Bayani claims can help cure many ills. The tasteless pellets come in small, portable containers, similar to a bottle cap, so users can easily dispense them into Remedy’s water bottles. Remedy Water comes in Boost for energy, Nobacco to ease tobacco cravings, Cleanse to flush out toxins, Ease for relaxing sore muscles, Calm to help erase stress and Control to curb an over-active appetite; a one-week supply (one serving per day) is $19.99. “Many people take homeopathy not only when experiencing a symptom, but also on a regular basis,” Dr. Bayani says. After trying the “Ease” water for a week, this writer noticed quicker post-workout recovery and less-than-normal soreness, and since the company recommends that users drink Remedy Water in addition to their regular water intake, I felt extra-hydrated: bonus! Remedy Water www.remedywater.com

East Meets West

Buckhead locals with a penchant for international tastes have a new place to grab a bite in Atlanta’s shopping district. The Café & Bar at Mandarin Oriental, Atlanta offers a perfect retreat from the hustle of the holiday season at Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza. Tucked off the hotel’s lobby, The Café is “a refined, yet unpretentious dining option featuring locally sourced and grown regional cuisine,” says Food and Beverage Director Aaron Stiles. Dishes here blend Buckhead’s Southern influences with the Mandarin’s Asian ones. For instance, among the starters, you’ll find roasted Mississippi quail with drunken Mission figs alongside Asian tuna sashimi. Mandarin Oriental, Atlanta 3376 Peachtree Road N.E., Atlanta 30326 404.995.7500 www.mandarinoriental.com/atlanta Photo Courtesy Mandarin Oriental, Atlanta

Cheers!

The holidays are the time to celebrate, and many of us will attend at least one white elephant party this season. However, unlike the popular American gift-giving game where you never know if you’re going to get a trick or a treat, this easy-to-make White Elephant cocktail is sure to delight. Courtesy of Yebo Restaurant & Bar in Phipps Plaza, this drink is “perfect for a chilly day in the city,” says restaurant proprietor Justin Anthony. Yebo Restaurant & Bar 3500 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.467.4988 www.yeborestaurant.com

White Elephant

2 oz. Voli Light Vodka Raspberry Cocoa Fusion 2 oz. Amarula Cream Liqueur 1 oz. Chambord Cocoa powder for garnish Method: Place first three ingredients into shaker with ice. Shake and strain into martini glass. Garnish with cocoa powder.

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

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November/December 2012 | Simply Buckheadâ&#x20AC;&#x192;

S IM P LY D EL I C IOUS

tast emaker

sugar rush Celebrated pastry chef and champion baker Eric Wolitzky is putting the cakes back in Decatur’s Cakes & Ale story:

Kate Abney

ric Wolitzky has certainly found his culinary calling, crafting the sentimental treats everyone’s suddenly craving. After just five months on the job at Decatur restaurant Cakes & Ale, the native New Yorker, fan-favorite competitor on “Top Chef Just Desserts” and former chef of Brooklyn sweets shop Baked, helped the new(ish) Cakes & Ale nail a nod from Bon Appétit. Not long after the eatery’s move from West Ponce De Leon Avenue to Decatur Square, editor Andrew Knowlton named it one of his 10 picks for The Best New Restaurants in America 2012—what an honor! Yes, Wolitzky spends his days leading a team of half a dozen at one of the metro’s only full-service restaurant bakeries. But in the blink of an eye, this whiz switches to plating formal desserts for dinner, hitting tasty high notes every time. And while Wolitzky may have a lot going on, he made time to talk Southern hospitality and gingerbread cakes on the eve of his big win, just for Simply Buckhead.

Was it the Southern hospitality? Are you kidding me? It’s so different here than New York. I go to the supermarket and the checkout lady starts a conversation with me. I get very emotional and tell her thank you! It’s awesome. Between the pastries and plated desserts, your hands are always in something. You practically live at Cakes & Ale. What’s it like working so closely with Chef Billy Allin? We’re very similar in a lot of ways. We both understand soulful food. Cakes & Ale is different from Baked, which was very retro. Here, the food’s incredibly seasonal. It changes daily.

Photo by Helena Peixoto

You worked in your family’s bakery as a teen, but went on to earn degrees in performance studies and cultural studies at New York University. What spurred the return to your roots? My grandfather taught everyone in the family. Baking is in my blood. I reached a point where it was like, ‘What are you doing? This is what really makes you happy.’ That’s when I enrolled in the French Culinary School. In March, you moved to Decatur to run The Bakery at Cakes & Ale. To what do we owe this pleasure? I was ready to leave New York. I’ve always loved Atlanta so much … I wasn’t looking anywhere else. I have so many friends here and would visit two-to-three times a year.

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

Are you whipping up any signature items? I make chocolate-chip cookies. I don’t need a gimmick. Because when I bake, it’s from the heart. One of the first things you did upon arrival was make the pastries bigger. What else is up your sleeve for the sweets? I want to ramp up cakes-to-order. I want this to be the place people come for a celebration. So we’ve got the cakes covered. How about the ale? We know you make a dessert with stout. Yeah, the Mississippi mud cake. It’s in the whipped cream, but it’s just a hint. It’s all about balance. We love the treats this time of year. As fall turns to winter, the flavors get so intense, and that’s something you’re known for—those strong, yet simple flavors.

Photo by Eric Wolitzky

I’m a huge spice person … and I’m really excited because I love apples, pumpkin, sweet potato. We’ll probably do a sweet potato cinnamon bun, homemade doughnuts, gingerbread cake and lots of pies—like Boston or cappuccino cream. You’ve noted that you’re not a fan of elaborate, architectural desserts or sugar sculptures. Yes, sometimes I’m just going to make an apple pie. It’s something from memory, something nostalgic. People respond to that, because it’s soulful, comforting. Yum. What else are you up to? I want to do a lot more writing. I have my master’s degree [in cultural studies] and I’ve written my entire life, so I want to continue telling the story of my family. I recently got all the recipes from my grandfather’s collection, so there’s a lot of discovering to do. Is a cookbook in the cards? Not saying. Not saying? OK, I’m working on it. It’s in the works! n

Cakes & Ale 155 Sycamore Street Decatur 30030 404.377.7994 www.cakesandalerestaurant.com

December 7–26

Fabulous Fox Theatre The Holiday December 7–26 Event of Fabulous Fox Theatre December 7–26 The Holiday the Season! Fabulous Fox Theatre Chocolate Bundt Cake (Serves 10)

You’ll soon be the star of all those holiday parties, because Cakes & Ale pastry chef Eric Wolitzky has graciously shared his recipe for chocolate bundt cake—which is not only delicious, but a cinch to make at home. ingredients Cocoa powder for dusting 2 cups flour 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon powdered ginger 2 teaspoons cinnamon 8 ounces butter (cut into small cubes) 1 cup Dutch process cocoa 1 cup molasses 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar 1/2 cup warm water 4 eggs 1/2 cup milk 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger Spray a 9-inch bundt pan with Pam. Dust lightly with cocoa powder. Tap out excess. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, powdered ginger and cinnamon. Set aside. In a medium saucepan, combine butter, cocoa, molasses, light brown sugar and water. Warm over medium heat until butter melts completely. Transfer to a large bowl and set aside to cool. Combine eggs, milk and fresh ginger, then add to mixture. Fold in flour mixture. Pour batter into bundt pan and bake at 325 degrees for approximately 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool for 10 minutes and then invert onto a cooling rack. Add glaze and top with candied ginger to garnish.

Event of the Season! The Holiday Event of The Holiday the Season! Event of the Season!

or or visit visitatlantaballet.com atlantaballet.com or visit atlantaballet.com or or visit visit atlantaballet.com atlantaballet.com

Glaze for bundt cake: 1 cup chopped chocolate or good quality chocolate chips 6 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 1/2 teaspoons light corn syrup 1/4 cup chopped white chocolate Candied ginger for garnish Place chocolate in a bowl over a medium pot of simmering water (double boiler). Cube the butter and add to the chocolate along with the corn syrup. Stir gently with a rubber spatula until the chocolate is melted and all the ingredients are well mixed. Remove from heat and let cool for about 10 minutes. Pour glaze over top of bundt and let it run down sides. Melt white chocolate in another bowl over double boiler. Remove from heat and dip a fork into the white chocolate. Wave fork above bundt to make the white chocolate streaks. Chopped candied ginger may be sprinkled on top of bundt cake for a garnish.

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

S IM P LY D EL I C IOUS

featured restaurants A sampling of great eats in and around Buckhead by:

Catherine O’Connor Hough

n Surin of Thailand 810 North Highland Avenue Atlanta 30306 404.892.7789 www.surinofthailand.com Bangkok might be a 20-hour flight away, but Surin of Thailand brings the best of the country’s food to their Virginia-Highland outpost. Bright yellow walls complemented by an ornate teal ceiling greet diners, including young families, couples and groups of 20-to-30-something friends. The ample menu offers Thai standards and unexpected combinations like the wing of angel appetizer pairing deboned chicken wings stuffed with shrimp and a honey dipping sauce. We like to start with the made-fortwo chicken (or tofu) coconut soup served in a flaming “volcano” pot or the delicious nam-sod, a mixture of ground pork loin, chile peppers, ginger, onions, fish sauce, peanuts, lime juice and crisp cabbage. Entrées are generously portioned, satisfying customers without overstuffing them. Some of our favorites include the tiger cry rib eye—a boneless 15-ounce rib eye marinated in Thai spices and char-grilled before being served with steamed vegetables and the restaurant’s special hot sauce of onions, chiles and lime juice—and the tangy chicken panang served with bell peppers, basil and a side of rice. In addition to the crowd-pleasing menu options, the 15-item martini list (we are partial to the blue dolphin fun-tini) and friendly service help ensure diners leave a little happier than when they arrived.

n Jalisco 2337 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30305 404.233.9244 Filling the stomachs of Atlantans since 1978, Jalisco is a neighborhood gem tucked away in the Peachtree Battle Shopping Center. Sitting unpretentiously next to a Baskin-Robbins shop, it’s hard to imagine that the wait at this low-key

Mexican restaurant can quickly pass the 30-minute mark. Overflowing with local families every day of the week, the two-room eatery is decorated with photographs and brass plaques engraved with quotes and the names of loyal customers. An endless provision of chips and homemade salsa with a kick keeps customers happy while mulling the menu that bucks trendy offerings in favor of the tried-and-true. Despite the tendency to treat complimentary chips and salsa like an invitation to a national eating competition, try your best to leave room for our favorite starter, the creamy nacho cheese dip. When it comes to the main dishes, the chile relleno—stuffed with flavorful beef and melted cheese—and the hard shell tacos—filled with seasoned pulled chicken, lettuce and rice—always hit the spot. House specialties like the carnitas dinner served with pork tips, rice, beans, salad and tortillas offer something for those looking to expand their horizons beyond the standard fare. The kitchen’s practice of including potatoes in almost every menu item brings a unique taste to time-honored Mexican classics. To wash it down, Jalisco offers a limited selection of beers and wines (no liquor here, so margarita lovers will have to plan on an after-dinner drink somewhere else).

n Bistro Niko 3344 Peachtree Road Atlanta 30326 404.261.6456 www.buckheadrestaurants.com /bistro-niko Part chic bistro, part romantic date spot, Bistro Niko is the perfect place for almost any occasion. The outdoor patio overlooking Peachtree Street provides diners with a big city vibe, while the sprawling indoor space, with its high ceilings, mirrored walls and red wrap-around booths, oozes modern French charm. Power lunches attended by the business and social sets dominate the lunch scene, while early evening

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

Spotlight n Leon’s Full Service 131 East Ponce de Leon Avenue Decatur 30030 404.687.0500 www.leonsfullservice.com An outdoor bocce ball court? Check. Photos by Andrew Thomas Lee A peanut butter and bacon appetizer? Check. A Food & Wine Top 50 Bar pick? Check. Welcome to Leon’s Full Service. As its name suggests, Leon’s attentive and friendly wait staff immediately puts diners at ease upon entering this casual-yet-sophisticated gastropub. Oversized windows and red vinyl booths brighten the calming tones of the blue-gray walls, which previously housed a gas station, an upholstery shop and an antique store. At night, customers on the outdoor patio overlooking Decatur’s main drag bask in the romantic glow of exposed light bulbs hanging in long rows. Favorites from the seasonally and locally driven menu include the decadent beef brisket sandwich, served open-faced and topped with fried onions and black peppercorn gravy; and the grilled pork chop, served with spiced Carolina Gold rice, grilled eggplant and vinegar peppers. Our personal “go-tos” are the surprisingly satisfying seared veggieloaf, served with roasted cauliflower-shiitake-sundried tomato salad and pecan romesco (a nut and red pepper-based sauce); and the warm chickpea and cherry salad, accompanied by basil, aged provolone and red wine vinaigrette. The pub frites come with your choice of two (from a list of 14!) unique dipping sauces, including black pepper mayonnaise, goat cheese fondue and Madras curry catsup. The frites are legendary and a must for first-time visitors. A visit to Leon’s would not be complete without trying at least one of their prized cocktails, which are divided into two categories: classic and seasonal. If your evening plan and transportation situation permit, do yourself a favor and order one of each!

tête-à-têtes around the ample bar and leisurely meals in the main dining room keep the restaurant abuzz as soon as the sun starts to set. The menu, developed by executive chef and longtime Buckhead Life Restaurant Group talent Gary Donlick, focuses on French fare that is authentic and uncomplicated. Hors d’oeuvres, like the chicken tortellini bathed in a butter sauce and the crispy duck confit served with a light frisée salad, win raves. Entrée standouts include the pan-fried scallops placed atop a light potato purée and complemented by a sumptuous wine, butter and lemon

broth; and the coq au vin (chicken cooked in wine), where rich flavors and tender meat leave us cleaning our plate down to the final morsel. On the beverage side, the extensive wine and beer menu offers something for every taste, while the specialty cocktails (lavender martini, anyone?) set the stage for a special evening.

n Blue Moon Pizza 325 East Paces Ferry Road N.E. Atlanta 30305 404.814.1515 www.bluemoonpizza.com

The proprietors of Blue Moon Pizza have mastered the art of bringing creative, comfortable and casual dining to their family-friendly restaurant since 2003. With locations in Buckhead, Vinings and Sandy Springs, Atlantans don’t have to travel far to try Blue Moon’s version of the perfect pizza (hint: crust is king). The owners’ focus on providing top-notch food at affordable prices has won them a bevy of loyal customers who flock to the bright and boisterous restaurant for a fun night out with family and friends. You can create your own pizza or try one of their “specialty moons,” like the jerk chicken pizza topped with caramelized onions, bell peppers, cayenne-candied bacon, house cheese, and Jamaican jerk sauce; or the Meateor, a heart-stopping choice made with house cheese, pepperoni slices, Italian sausage, ground beef, ham and—get ready for this— cayenne-candied bacon. If you’ve filled your pizza quota for the week, they also offer specialty sandwiches called “flatwiches” made from the housemade pizza dough; the veggie and buffalo chicken flatwiches are both great options. For a night in with your family or friends, order a few “take-nbake” pizzas to bring home and bake fresh in your own oven; “homemade” might be stretching it, but we won’t tell if you don’t!

n Blue Ridge Grill 1261 West Paces Ferry Road N.W. Atlanta 30327 404.233.5030 www.blueridgegrill.com Modeled after a rustic cabin—complete with an enormous stacked-stone fireplace, antique furniture, a breezy dining porch and exposed-beam ceilings—Blue Ridge Grill offers guests the chance to enjoy fine dining while taking a step back in time. This charming restaurant, inspired by the Blue Ridge Mountains, prides itself on its Southern hospitality and ambiance. To start off your meal, the pan-seared, aged goat cheese—served with julienne sesame vegetables, apple butter and a baguette—is a perfect appetizer for sharing. If you’re looking for something a little lighter, the house salad, tossed with organic mixed field greens, poached pears, local blue cheese and toasted pecans, is another great choice. Among the entrées, some of our favorites include the dayboat sea scallops, served with Anson Mills Sea Island red peas, rice and mustard vinaigrette; and the roasted Kurobuta pork

loin, paired with quince, local white cheddar grits and caramelized pork jus. And what is a leisurely feast without something sweet to end the night? Indulge in rich pear crumb cake with cinnamon ice cream, while sipping on your last glass of Steele Winery Chardonnay (a private label for the restaurant).

n Enat Ethiopia Café 1999 Cheshire Bridge Road N.E. Atlanta 30324 404.685.9291 www.enatethiopiacafe.com Ethiopian priests bestowed the honored name Enat Ethiopia on owner Martha Kebede’s mother as an acknowledgement of the enduring generosity, hospitality and commitment she showed to her community. These are the virtues that Kebede lives by and puts into practice every day at her beloved restaurant, Enat Ethiopia Café. Styled like a traditional Ethiopian restaurant with authentic art hanging on the walls and bright pink tablecloths covering each table, the eatery transports guests to a country that few have the opportunity to visit in person. Diners take part in the Ethiopian custom of eating with their hands, using a spongy flatbread called injera to scoop the food. The menu features a number of beef, chicken and vegetarian plates, including the misser wott—lentils cooked with onion and a red pepper sauce spiced with garlic and ginger. There is also the famous kitfo—Ethiopian steak tartare that is ground, seasoned with herbed butter and spiced chili sauce and served with homemade ayeb cheese. Imported spices and herbs from Ethiopia are used to cook all menu items, made from recipes handed down from generation to generation for more than 3,000 years! After the meal, we recommend taking part in the traditional coffee ceremony, which celebrates patience and the joy of spending time with loved ones; the ceremony is one-of-a-kind and the coffee is spectacular. To book the coffee ceremony, make sure you call one hour in advance.

n New York Prime 3424 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.846.0644 www.newyorkprime.com/atlanta Prime is the highest grade given to meat by the USDA based on tenderness, juiciness and flavor. Only about 3 percent of beef available to consumers

and restaurants carries this distinguished grade, meaning that the owners of New York Prime—who serve only prime-graded beef—have their work cut out for them (pun intended). With its impeccable service, grand interior and vibrant atmosphere (complete with nightly live entertainment), New York Prime is the perfect place for a special occasion. Start things off with one of their mouth-watering appetizers, like the in-season stone crabs or the baked shrimp topped with Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs and garlic butter. New York Prime’s most famous offerings, its steaks, are aged 28 days and prepared “Pittsburgh-style,” giving them a charred exterior while preserving their tender and juicy center. Plates are available for all appetites, from an 8-ounce center-cut filet of rib eye to the jaw-dropping 40-ounce “Porterhouse for two.” For those limiting their red meat intake, there are other tempting options, such as the salmon topped with sautéed portabella mushrooms, the garlic chicken and the live lobster, which can range from 3 to 13 pounds! Like all great steakhouses, the sides give guests a thing or two to talk about (and fight over). The onion straws, Southwest creamed corn and asparagus with hollandaise are excellent complements to any meal.

n OK Café 1284 West Paces Ferry Road N.W. Atlanta 30327 404.233.2888 www.okcafe.com For 25 years, OK Café has served Southern-style comfort food against the backdrop of a 1950s-inspired diner, complete with servers clad in vintage uniforms. OK Café prides itself on being a “home away from home” for customers and this sentiment is clearly shared by the droves of hungry diners who patiently wait in line to snag a table. In fact, this establishment boasts the distinguished honor of having served more customers than any other full-service restaurant in Atlanta. The extensive menu has something for every taste, but can easily overwhelm those who do not count decision-making as one of their strong suits. Breakfast offerings run the gamut from standard fare (like sourdough French toast) to more elaborate concoctions (like the scrambled tofu with onions, green peppers, broccoli and water chestnuts). For lunch or dinner, we are partial to their blue plate specials, like the meatloaf with Creole sauce, the country fried steak and the roasted turkey with gravy and corn-

bread dressing. Coming to OK Café without trying a few of their famous sides, like the triple cheese macaroni or the fresh kernel corn, would be almost criminal. Top it all off with a thick malted milkshake or a rich homemade lemon coconut cake for dessert (you may need help squeezing out of your booth, but it will be well worth it). If you’re in a hurry, OK Café offers a take-away store where you can select pre-made and ready-to-cook items from a hot buffet or refrigerated case.

n Swan Coach House Restaurant 3130 Slaton Drive N.W. Atlanta 30305 404.261.0636 www.swancoachhouse.com Since the 1960s, The Swan Coach House has been a staple in the Atlanta luncheon scene. Established in the carriage house of the Swan House estate, this Southern treasure has retained every ounce of its historic charm. Open for lunch Monday through Saturday, the Swan Coach House can make even a third-generation New Yorker feel like a Southern belle. We suggest starting off your meal with one of their specialty cocktails; we are fans of the Bubbly Atlantan, a mixture of champagne and jasmine liqueur served over ice and topped with a cherry. The restaurant’s elegant menu mixes time-honored favorites with modern fare. Their signature offerings—like the house-made chicken salad served with a creamy frozen fruit salad and handmade cheese straws, or the cup of homemade soup served with two chicken salad tea sandwiches and two pimiento cheese sandwiches—are popular choices. Entrées include dishes like the crab cakes prepared with lump crabmeat, onion and celery served with a side of remoulade; and chicken curry served over rice and garnished with chutney, toasted coconut, green onions, bacon, peanuts and grated hard-boiled eggs. They also offer sandwiches, like the fried green tomato on toasted focaccia topped with Swiss cheese, fresh mixed greens and red pepper aioli; and the Caribbean chicken salad made with tender grilled chicken, tomatoes, pineapple, strawberries, crunchy almonds and scallions topped with a creamy citrus dressing. Before you end your visit to the Swan Coach House, we recommend stopping by its art gallery and gift shop to fully enjoy all the aspects of this unique establishment.

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

Make it easier to get your pre-holiday body back. Even if you indulge a little over the holidays, GMM can help you minimize the damage. GMM’s chef-inspired portion- and calorie-controlled meals are all locally prepared and fresh, never frozen – the perfect blend of culinary magic and nutrition science. A great way to offset those holiday temptations. And what could be more convenient? GMM has over 90 pickup locations throughout metro Atlanta.

If you need a little help, GMM has a terrific menu of nutrition support services. GMM’s experienced team of registered dietitians and wellness professionals will work with you to not only help you set achievable goals, but help you stay right on track to getting it back!

You lose...and the underserved right in your own community win big time. Good Measure Meals is the only gourmet meal plan that donates 100% of proceeds directly to nonprofit nutrition programs for the underserved in your community. So now you can eat well and do good. What’s better than that?

No hassle. No calorie-counting. No contract.

Order at GoodMeasureMeals.com or 404-815-7695 100% of proceeds support Open Hand community nutrition programs provided free of charge to homebound seniors and individuals battling chronic or critical illness. For more information, visit OpenHandAtlanta.org

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

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November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

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November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

SIMPLY BUCKHEAD cover story

H o m e for the ho l i da y s

feature:

Kate Abney

If there’s one thing Buckhead does well, it’s throw a spectacular fête. We capture a trio of elegant parties and family affairs that shine with the essence of our community: a heart of tradition, an eye for the exquisite and, above all, a spirit of celebration.

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

H o m e for the ho l i da y s S I M P LY B U CK H E AD cover story

A Happy Season Hanukkah is a family affair at the home of Laura and Michael Drucker photos:

Sara Hanna

After making Grammy Sugar’s recipe for sugar cookie dough, Laura Drucker and daughter Evie cut out Hanukkah shapes.

aura and Michael Drucker reside in a North Buckhead home so beautiful, it was once on the Junior League Tour of Kitchens. The stunning space, originally designed by Bryan Marquardt, got a facelift two years ago by interior designer Chris Holt, and in moved the Drucker brood—including their three children, ages 8, 10 and 12. Complete with a chef ’s-quality kitchen and free-flowing living spaces, it’s ideal for enjoying big meals and even grander gatherings. And that’s what this family’s all about. Armed with a Rolodex of recipes and a passion for tradition, they take care to honor Jewish holidays at every juncture of the year. Michael is an attorney representing licensing for colleges and universities across the country. Laura taught elementary school for 10 years, then became a full-time supermom once their oldest, Sam, turned 12. But her busy schedule hasn’t stopped her from volunteering avidly at Woodward Academy, where her little ones attend school. Laura remains a talented teacher and enjoys visiting the school to introduce her children’s classmates to beloved Hanukkah traditions whenever she can. Every December, the Druckers’ rooms are filled with love and light, with menorahs lit everywhere, vases of white flowers set upon nearly every table, and a plethora of Hanukkah bears, gelt bowls, sugar cookies and special seasonal touches abounding. “We always have a big Hanukkah meal,” Laura says. “We usually pick one night that we want to celebrate it with family and friends. And because my kids are in school, we usually make it on a weekend. The adults sit in the dining room, but the kids wind end up eating in the kitchen or outside. Then they open their presents and scatter away to play while the adults sit and visit. We all have so much fun.” Accessed by rows of French doors, the gorgeous outdoor patio and pool area (an extension of the architecture by Harrison Design Associates) is prime for wintry activities like making s’mores or just sitting by the fire, soaking up the spirit of the season. “The Jewish holidays are all about passing down traditions and making memories with family, friends and community,” Laura explains. “We don’t have tons of family in Atlanta, but we’ve made so many great friends. There’s a group of about five of us, and our kids have all these great memories of celebrating Hanukkah together.” And isn’t that what the holidays should be about? n

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

“The Jewish holidays are all about passing down traditions and making memories with family, friends and community.”

The Drucker’s three children, Sam, Max and Evie, have enthusiastically embraced the family’s Hanukkah traditions. Here, Sam and Evie tear into a couple of this year’s gifts.

Flowers by James Hurley Designs

Tasteful Tables “Crate & Barrel is wonderful for little odds and ends—blue glasses and plates to mix with our regular china, silver place mats, and any little glass accessories.” www.crateandbarrel.com

Laura Drucker’s Helpful Hanukkah Tips My kids love everything about Hanukkah—the dreidel game, the chocolate Hanukkah gelt. When they were little, I’d go to their classes and play the dreidel game with them and their classmates. We’d make edible menorahs with peanut butter on a slice of bread with pretzels for the candlesticks and little candy corn for the flames. Here at home, my kids make edible dreidels with little marshmallows, a pretzel on top and a little Hershey’s kiss on bottom.

s Time for Tradition

Culinary Customs

We light the menorah in the kitchen, and we dance around it singing, “Have a little dreidel, Hanukkah, Hanukkah,” and then we turn the other direction. Finally, the kids run into the family room and land on the floor to wait for their presents. We do this for eight nights straight.

I always make my mom’s “noodle kugel” casserole—it has noodles, cottage cheese, raisins and sugar, and it’s very buttery. Even though it’s sweet enough for dessert, you always serve it with the meal. And we always make a brisket. I’ve got my mom’s recipe. I only make it at all the Jewish holidays.

Grammy Sugar’s Sugar Cookies

Gifts & Games

Where’s the Bear?

My kids got into the Christmas elves that their friends have, so we decided to have Hanukkah bears. The bears sit on a shelf but do mischievous things. They might roll the kids’ beds with toilet paper, or they might knock down a ladder on a bunk bed. It’s very funny. The bears do it at night or while the kids are in school, and when they get home, they run in and see if the bears have done something. Every now and then, my daughter’s Hanukkah bear will go to school with her because it jumps in her book bag.

Light the Night We’ve gotten our menorahs from all different places. We have one my father gave me when Michael

Holiday Recipe ingredients 1 1/2 cups butter, softened 2 cups white sugar 4 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 5 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1. In a large bowl, mix butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour,

baking powder and salt. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour or overnight. 2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Roll out dough on surface sprinkled with flour and sugar to 1/4- to 1/2-inch thick. Cut into shapes with cookie cutter. Place on ungreased cookie sheets 1 inch apart. 3. Bake 6 to 8 minutes. Cool completely.

and I got married, and we have a sports one from Chosen Treasures, the Judaica shop in Sandy Springs—my kids are such sports fans. We light every one of them. My children made menorahs in preschool, and those are always the ones they want to light first. www.chosenjudaica.com

A Meal to Remember There’s a caterer I use a lot, Annette Marcus, who’s in the Sandy Springs area. She is unbelievable, and she will do everything for you—from linens, to helping with flowers, to the food menu. She’s done brunches for me, birthday parties, brises. I cook a lot, so I use her most when I’m hosting 50+ people. www.annettemarcuscatering.com

Take Note A good friend of mine, Kim Lewis, does stationery out of her house right around the corner from me. She’s great. And I’ve worked with Judy Fineman of Noteworthy Designs in East Cobb for a long time. Judy and I are friends. She does the cards for all of our baby namings, bar mitzvahs, Jewish holidays and more. www.atlantapapergallery.com www.noteworthydesigns.us

Sweet Memories “We always make Hanukkah sugar cookies. It’s my mom’s recipe. Some cookie doughs get too thin or flimsy, or when you bake them they spread out, but this recipe keeps its shape! We cut it into the shapes of dreidels, menorahs and the Star of David, and we decorate the cookies with blue sugar crystals or colored icing. We make a whole bunch at the very beginning of Hanukkah and then have them the whole week. We make so many so that we can share with everyone who comes over.”

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

H o m e for the ho l i da y s S I M P LY B U CK H E AD cover story

Carol of the Belles Danielle Rollins and her best friends celebrate Christmas photos:

Danielle Rollins (red dress, left) gathers with four of her best girlfriends for a “Blonde Christmas” celebration at a Buckhead estate.

“It’s fun at the holidays to sort of suspend reality for a time, to play grownup for a night.”

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

Quentin Bacon —Used with permission from Rizzoli

anielle Rollins—Buckhead’s consummate tastemaker, inimitable Southern hostess, boundless creative—never lets a party come off as anything but flawless. This much is evident in a gorgeous excerpt from her latest tome, SOIRÉE: Entertaining with Style, which recounts a festive Christmas evening with five gracious Southern women, gentlemanly escorts in tow. “We have been the very best of friends for at least 10 years,” Rollins says of her four closest companions, Cynthia Hammond, Mary Johnson, Robin Howell and Nina Cheney. “We often joke about our shared hair color and refer to ourselves as ‘the five blondes forum’ in jest. There is nothing that we would not do for one another.” As the tradition goes, they rotate the duty each year of hosting a fabulous “Blonde Christmas” affair filled with romance and ripe for memory making. “Cynthia is one of my favorite people to brainstorm party ideas with—over wine,” Rollins says. For this particular Christmas fête at the Hammonds’ home in Buckhead, the entire day of planning was a thrill. “That is what is so great about doing a party with someone else: The prep is as much fun as the party is!” The evening of the event, Rollins wrapped gifts in her own wrapping room at Boxwood, her stately Buckhead home, before preparing her famous sticky toffee pudding to take over to the Hammonds. Dennis Dean of Dennis Dean Catering helmed the remainder of the cuisine. Rollins also helped set an exquisite table—complete with hemstitched white linens, antique Tiffany Persian silverware and inexpensive red water glasses—in an upstairs sitting room bedecked in a festive Cowtan & Tout fabric. “We had bay garlands draped along the sideboard, big bowls of pomegranates on the sideboard and pretty flower arrangements on the table,” recounts Rollins. “To me, it felt old English, with girls in long dresses and men in black tie. It’s fun at the holidays to sort of suspend reality for a time, to play grownup for a night.” So with the kids tucked in snugly at home, Rollins and her best friends exchanged thoughtful and funny gifts, clinked flutes of vanilla bean Champagne, savored delectable beef tenderloin and laughed late into the evening—a Buckhead Christmas simply at its best. “These are my four best friends in the world,” says Rollins. “So to me, to have one night that I can celebrate with them is the best gift that I can have —and the best one I can give.” n

Set the Table “Color and balance are what are most important. No matter what, I look for colors that mix and match—deep reds, burgundies—and just add them into the collection.”

Danielle Rollins’ Christmas Essentials Inviting Elegance Invitations can be just as important as the party itself, as they whet an appetite for celebration. I love having a great invitation to set the tone for a party instantly. And I love working with Jackie [Howard] at Paces Papers. No one is more knowledgeable and creative. She has all the best lines, and she takes great care to make sure anything you do is unique.

point because the mix is so easy. And it’s what my kids like best. I always make it for Christmas morning breakfast, and the table is set very festively. We have nutcrackers all over the table, and pretty linens. Nowadays, the kids love making the monkey bread with me. Also, Trader Joe’s has these great little croissants that we set out to rise overnight. www.traderjoes.com

www.pacespapers.com

That’s a Wrap A Flawless Meal Since I am the cook in the bunch, Cynthia and I met with Dennis Dean to plan the menu. Dennis is one of my best friends and a consummate professional. He totally gets entertaining. He fully believes that the host or hostess should be the center of attention, not having to direct him. When he takes charge, the presentation is seamless. His parties come off as if you have a personal chef. That’s a warm touch for me that’s really important for entertaining. I don’t want it to seem like I just catered something in and I had no hand in it. www.dennisdeancatering.com

To the Tune For music, I tend to stick with the Christmas classics—Bing Crosby, Dean Martin. I like things that feel a little old-fashioned. I don’t think you can beat Frank Sinatra for anything. In fact, I am such a Christmas fanatic that I have an iPod on hold in my house with a playlist just for Christmas music.

I think a prettily wrapped present is just as nice as what’s inside it. I like all my presents to coordinate with the house. In this case, I knew the colors of Cynthia’s room, so I put in a lot of effort to wrap the gifts in golds and burgundies. I tend to buy wrapping paper after Christmas and set it aside. If I find a pretty, rich, jewel-toned turquoise paper, I buy it. It doesn’t need to have patterns of ornaments and sleighs. I like things to look more elegant.

Tasty Tip At the holidays, I like everything to be very homey in feeling. It’s cold and I want something that’s comforting. I pretty much always make sticky toffee pudding, and I try to find things I can do ahead of time. I can do the sticky toffee pudding up to a week before and then dump store-bought caramel all over it and it tastes so good. If I’m making a tenderloin, I can sear it, then finish baking it the day of.

Wine Wonders Christmas Treats King Arthur makes a really delicious monkey bread mix. I can make it from scratch, but there’s no

I like Phi, an Australian line. And I love H&F Bottle Shop. They’re really knowledgeable. I love Doug Bryant from Sherlock’s Wine Merchant.

He’s super great about recommendations. I tend to focus on a more prestigious producer that has a lower line that tastes just as good to me, but is a little less expensive. www.hfbottleshop.com www.sherlocks.com/buckhead

Lovely Linens I love Leontine Linens and I love Walker Valentine [Custom House]. For Christmas, I have linens that I had done through Walker Valentine that [are embroidered with] ornaments in the same colors as my house. They look really pretty mixed in. And they don’t look overly Christmas-y. www.leontinelinens.com www.walkervalentine.com

Décor Galore I go to Home Depot and get tons of colored balls to go with the color scheme, then I mix in ornaments that are more personal. I like to have a tree that’s very layered, but not expensive to assemble. Expensive Christmas ornaments and kids and cats and dogs don’t really go together. I also love Boxwoods [Gardens & Gifts]; I think they have wonderful things.

Holiday Recipe Roasted Beef Tenderloin with Rosemary and Garlic ingredients 1 1⁄2 tablespoons sea salt 2 to 3 tablespoons coarsely cracked black peppercorns 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary 2 cloves garlic, minced 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided 1 (4- to 5-pound) center-cut beef tenderloin roast, trimmed and tied Sauce 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1⁄2 cup shallots, chopped 2 cloves garlic, chopped 1 fresh rosemary sprig 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 cup Port 2 cups beef stock, preferably homemade (or store-bought, low-sodium stock) 2 to 3 tablespoons crème fraîche Garnish Fresh pomegranate halves Fresh rosemary sprigs 1. Combine salt, peppercorns, rosemary and garlic in a small bowl. Add 2 tablespoons oil and stir. Rub paste all over beef. Let sit at room temperature 1 hour before roasting. 2. To make sauce, melt the butter in a medium-size saucepan over medium heat.

Add shallots and sauté until soft, about 3 minutes. Add garlic, rosemary and mustard and stir. Add Port and stock. Cook until reduced to about 1 1⁄2 cups and thick, about 20 minutes. Strain liquid mixture through a fine mesh sieve over a bowl, pressing on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard solids and reserve sauce. 3. Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 425°F. 4. Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over high heat. Pat meat dry with a paper towel so it will brown nicely. Sear beef on all sides, 5 to 7 minutes total. Place beef in roasting pan and roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of meat registers 125°F for medium-rare (135°F to 140°F in thinnest part), 20 to 25 minutes. Remove roast from oven; tent lightly with foil and let rest 10 minutes. 5. Bring sauce to a boil and whisk in crème fraîche; reduce heat to low and cook another minute. Adjust seasoning and serve warm. 6. Cut string from roast. Cut roast crosswise into 1⁄2-inch-thick slices and arrange on warm platter. Serve with sauce and garnish, if desired.

www.boxwoodsonline.com www.homedepot.com

Fresh Florals I tend to mix in a lot of holiday greenery and natural things you can find in the yard. Even if someone does buy an arrangement, I think it should look like something you could have done yourself. In this case, we had all the pepper berry sprays, and then we got a ton of cranberries and crammed them in so you couldn’t see the stems. I love having fruit at the bottom of a vase.

A Tome Worth Taking Danielle Rollins’ indispensable book on entertaining, SOIRÉE: Entertaining with Style (Rizzoli, $50), makes the ultimate hostess gift for any stylish Christmas party.

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

H o m e for the ho l i da y s S I M P LY B U CK H E AD cover story

A Cause for Celebration New Year’s Eve at the home of Nancy and Gene Hooff

photos:

Sara Hanna

“It’s a wonderful occasion to share the holidays with our growing family.”

Family and friends gather at Nancy and Gene Hooff’s beautiful Buckhead home to raise a toast to tradition—and the exciting new year to come.

ancy and Gene Hooff have one of those beautiful Buckhead homes with a landscape so magical, it makes you feel as if you’ve been swept away to a secret garden. It’s no doubt a dream space for the couple, who moved here about 15 years ago with their two sons, Gene Jr., now 30, and Easley, now 27. Thanks to Pope-Ozio & Associates, they have a beautiful pool setting, and Nancy’s knack for interior design has rendered the scene a stunning place in which to escape. While Gene Sr. is successful in real estate and runs a Five Guys franchise, Nancy works with fellow designer Carter Kay, her best friend for decades. The Hooffs and the Kays are thick as thieves and active in the local community. Nancy, namely, is involved with a host of A-list organizations—the Atlanta Contemporary Art

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

Center, the High Museum of Art, the Atlanta History Center, the Forward Arts Foundation, Fashion’s Night Out and BURNAWAY Georgia, for starters. True to expectation, between these two plugged-in families, the holidays are always fantastically festive. “With the kids being older, it brings a lot of dimension to our celebrations, which is fun,” Nancy says. “We can end up with as many as 30 people here for a New Year’s party.” Out by the cabana, in front of a roaring fire, Nancy arranges a mélange of candles, toasty wool blankets and even a cute cowbell a friend brought as a hostess gift to last year’s shindig. When it gets really chilly, guests love to pull the cabana curtains shut and curl up around the warmth, the whole brood piled in together toasting the year to come.

“The kids go to the [social club] Nine O’Clocks party, but they come over afterward. It’s just a great occasion to sit out by the fire and enjoy it,” Nancy says. “You’re not going anywhere, so you’re safe and sound and after the party, you can just go upstairs and go to sleep! “Gene loves to be the master of his own ceremonies, so he loves being here at the house,” she continues. “We all migrate back and forth, outdoors to indoors, make drinks at the bar, catch the game, watch the ball drop. I’m thinking that next year, we could do our first-annual polar bear swim!” Though it surely sounds like an event not to be missed, this year, we’re content to capture their delectable spread of fondue, snacks and libations, with guests brandishing sparklers in the picture-perfect spirit of celebration. n

Nancy Hooff’s New Year’s Musts Nice & Easy When I’m hosting, I make everyone else bring something, but I usually prepare one dish myself—like an hors d’oeuvre I’ve seen in a magazine recently. One that I love is pecans with rosemary and brown sugar. I pick up snacks at Whole Foods just to keep it easy—because the presentation looks good, but you don’t have to go through a struggle. You can’t be tired at your own party! www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/ buckhead

Punch It Up Milk punch was my Daddy’s specialty. It would vary depending on how my dad was feeling about himself. Most of the time it was whole milk and ice cream but sometimes it was skim milk and light ’n’ lively ice cream—usually with bourbon. I would say, “Daddy, why do you make this for us?” And he’d say, “So you’ll go home and take a nap.” That was his way of getting us out of there.

Shop Girl I shop at B.D. Jeffries, Gramercy Home, Stanton Home Furnishings and of course Star Provisions. Last year at Stanton, I got my most favorite candle I’ve ever gotten. It’s by Aspen Bay and it’s called “Fire.” It’s that perfect Christmas smell, but it’s not overbearing. At Star Provisions, I just go for what looks good. This year, I bought some garlands that are glittery stars. They’re so sweet. www.bdjeffries.com/shop/locations.asp www.shopgramercy.com www.stantonhomefurnishings.com www.starprovisions.com

Set the Table I love how Erika Reade does her displays during the holidays. I have been going through a get-rid-ofyour-stuff phase, but with a new couple in the family [newlywed son and daughter-in-law Gene and Megan Hooff], I have a whole new opportunity to buy serving pieces. I do love to buy Erika’s seasonal things, even if they’re just pretty napkins with snowflakes on them. www.erikareade.com

Secret Source I love Lucy’s Market. They’ve got the best little cheese crackers that are melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

They’re unbelievable. They’re like cheese straws but are more like discs. I know the girl who makes them, Louise Bohannon, so that’s kind of fun. I have bought the pound cake at Lucy’s Market, and I like that toasted. It’s nice to have a slice of that with Champagne, or again for breakfast in the morning with coffee.

A Nod to Nog “We love to do the Nana Nawg, which is basically an eggnog made from scratch. The past couple of years, I’ve had my niece make it with me, which has been a treat. The first year, we were in the kitchen playing that song ‘Fruitcake’ by the B-52s, which was hysterical. My sister-in-law wrote the recipe, which calls for a full bottle of corn liquor, a full bottle of brandy and a full bottle of bourbon. She tells you to taste it, and taste it, and then finally at the end of it she says, ‘feel drunk.’”

www.lucysmarket.com

Fresh Florals My go-to florist is Pollen. But Carter is a genius at going out into the yard, cutting things, putting them into a vase and making it look good. She says she never buys anything. I’m the opposite. I have no talent for putting something in a vase, so I leave her to the arrangements! www.pollenatlanta.com

Divine Wines Gene Jr. got married in October, and we love Megan, who works for Constellation Brands wine. We have many traditions, but we love building new ones. Now, Megan’s bringing the Champagne and the wine to the parties—like our Prosecco we used for mimosas with pomegranate seeds. It’s a wonderful occasion to share the holidays with our growing family.

s Holiday Recipe Nana Nawg ingredients 1 dozen eggs 1 cup sugar (or more to taste) 1 fifth corn whiskey (mellow corn, 100 proof); may use Virginia Lightning, 100 proof 3/4 fifth Bacardi rum (use the rest in a rum cake) 1 pint Cognac (to taste) 2 teaspoons vanilla 2 quarts half ’n’ half 1 large vat

1. Separate eggs, saving whites. Beat the yolks. Slowly add sugar, beating with a hand mixer. Slowly add all liquor. Add vanilla. Keep mixing. Taste. Add more sugar if necessary. 2. Mix in egg whites until fluffy. Stir in half ’n’ half using a figureeight motion. Taste again. Feel half drunk. 3. May leave in the vat for a couple of days, then pour into empty liquor bottles or pitchers.

Tray Chic “Whole Foods is my usual for cheeses and pâtés and those good crackers they have. I always try to get a great garnish—pretty things like miniature grapes. It’s great for setting a pretty hors d’oeuvres tray, and always something that’s a little different, too.” www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/buckhead

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

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www.ModaFloorsandInteriors.com * Manufacturer’s rebate offer valid for qualifying purchases made 9/15/12 – 12/15/12. Ask a sales representative for information on qualifying purchases. All rebates will be issued in U.S. dollars, in the form of an American Express® Prepaid Reward Card. This rebate offer may not be combined with any other Hunter Douglas offer or promotion. © reserved. All trademarks used herein are the property of their respective owners.

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November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

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By Giannina Smith Bedford

As the weather turns chilly and the social calendar books up, finding time for Fifi or Fido can be difficult. Buckhead’s Pupcakes Playcare, however, makes it easy to keep four-legged babies happy and looking their best. A one-stop-shop for pet parents during the busy holiday season, Pupcakes offers cage-free daycare and boarding for small dogs weighing less than 36 pounds as well as grooming services for pooches of all sizes. All of Pupcakes popular grooming services begin and end with doggie playtime, helping reduce pooches’ anxiety through the beautifying process. From bathing and teeth brushing to specialty treatments like nail painting, Pupcakes grooming services run the gamut. Simply Buckhead recently sat down with Pupcakes “PetStylist” Amani Vinson Pettis to discuss grooming services and just what makes Pupcakes stand out from the pack. What can clients expect from grooming services at Pupcakes? Pupcakes provides a stress free environment for your pet by implementing a no cage policy. Your four legged friends are allowed to socialize with others as they wait their turn to be pampered. Clients can expect an exemplary level of professionalism and care for their family member. How do the grooming services at Pupcakes stand out from others? We have an extremely high level of excellence and pride in our work. Our team of “PetStylists” has years of grooming experience. We have an advanced knowledge of all breed trims and cuts. We take our time with each dog in order to achieve the style the owner desires. This also allows the dog not to be stressed by the experience. How often should pups be groomed? I would recommend, for a longhaired dog, that you bring him or her in every three weeks for a Bath and Trim. A Bath and Trim, or BT, includes the bath and blowout, cleaning and plucking ears, trimming the toenails, sanitary cut, and a light trim around the face and feet. At six weeks your longhaired pet should come in for a Spa Groom, which includes the “BT” and an overall haircut. For the shorter haired pooches, I suggest a Spa Groom every four to six weeks. As we approach the busy holiday season, what are some grooming tips you can offer our readers? For all you parents looking forward to the fluffy holiday photos ... brush, brush, brush. If you are too busy during the holidays we do offer a brush out service. Anything else you’d like to add? We also offer standing appointments. Whether you want to schedule a groom every week, or every six weeks, or somewhere in between, we will set that up for you. We will call you with a reminder the day before. With the holiday rush, appointments fill fast. Setting a grooming appointment will be one less thing to worry about on the ever-growing things to do list. For more information, visit www.pupcakesplaycare.com

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

S I M P LY BU Z Z | S I M P LY C H A R I TA B L E | S I M P LY S C E N E

Simply happening

Many of the residences featured on the Decatur Holiday Candlelight Tour of Homes showcase festive decor. Photo courtesy of RoseHillDecatur.com

Spotlight Decatur Holiday Candlelight Tour of Homes Nov. 30-Dec. 1 Courtyard Marriott Decatur Downtown 130 Clairemont Avenue Decatur 30030 404.371.8386 www.decaturtourofhomes.com

Follow candlelit walkways to the front doors of some of Decatur’s most beautiful homes dressed up in their holiday finest. In 2012, the Decatur Holiday Candlelight Tour of Homes celebrates its three-decade milestone with the theme “Celebrating 30 Years of Decatur Living.” The annual winter-spirited event features homes throughout the City of Decatur, in-

cluding Winnona Park and Glenwood Estates. This year the tour includes everything from new construction and craftsman renovations to downtown condominiums. To visit the eight homes highlighted, tourgoers are invited to board a complimentary shuttle at the Courtyard Marriot in Downtown Decatur, which they can hop on and off throughout the two

evenings to look at the homes and take advantage of dining and holiday shopping in the picturesque community. Benefiting four local nonprofit groups—the Decatur Education Foundation, Decatur Youth Fund, DeKalb History Center and Wylde Center— the event takes place from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. both days. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

SIMPLY happening

simply buzz

Events, exhibits, galas and more

by:

n Burger Night at Haven Every Tuesday

n Chastain Park Arts Festival Nov. 3-4

Haven Restaurant 1441 Dresden Drive N.E. Atlanta 30319 404.969.0700 www.havenrestaurant.com

Chastain Park 4469 Stella Drive Atlanta 30327 404.845.0793 www.chastainparkartsfestival.com

Break up the monotony of Tuesday-night leftovers by feasting on a juicy meat patty during Haven’s popular burger nights. Hosted by Chef Stephen Herman, the stomach-filling evening in Brookhaven offers up enticing gourmet burgers (not on the regular menu) topped with bacon, lettuce, tomato, grilled onions and cheddar cheese. Couple this with fries and a glass of wine or beer for $15 per person, and you have a cheap Tuesday night date. Make sure to arrive early, however, as Chef Herman only makes 40 burgers each Tuesday and they often sell out.

Celebrating its fourth year, the Chastain Park Arts Festival will again descend on one of Buckhead’s favorite parks. Showcasing the works of nearly 200 fine artist and artisans—from painters and photographers to sculptors—the two-day event will feature live acoustic music, artist demonstrations and a children’s area with hands-on crafts. Expect an assortment of tasty foods and beverages, including fare from some Atlanta food trucks. Free to attend, the festival benefits a scholarship fund for local artists administered by the Georgia Foundation for Public Spaces. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

n Genghis Khan Exhibit Oct. 5-Jan. 21 Fernbank Museum of Natural History 767 Clifton Road N.E. Atlanta 30307 404.929.6300 www.fernbankmuseum.org In honor of its 20th anniversary, the Fernbank Museum of Natural History welcomes an exhibit exploring the life of 13th century emperor Genghis Khan. The show will bring his legacy to life with more than 200 artifacts, including never-before-viewed coins, armor, jewelry, robes, relics and weaponry—the largest collection of 13th century Mongolian artifacts ever assembled. There will even be a murdered mummy. The exhibit will also include videos and immersive dioramas. Museum admission is $17.50 for adults; $16.50 for students and seniors; $15.50 for children ages 3 to 12; free for ages 2 and under and museum members.

n Decatur Wine Festival Nov. 3 Old Courthouse Square 101 East Court Square Decatur 30030 404.371.9583 www.decaturwinefestival.org

Calling all wine aficionados! The Decatur Wine Festival is celebrating its 11th year at the historic Old Courthouse Square in Downtown Decatur. Pouring more than 350 wines for discriminating sippers to sample, metro Atlanta’s largest outdoor wine festival will also feature food from Decatur eateries and live music. Proceeds from the event benefit the Decatur Arts Alliance, which produces the Decatur Arts Festival and other free arts events in the community each year. The event is from 1 to 4 p.m. and attendees must be 21 or over. Tickets are $35 per person.

n Atlanta History Center’s “Museums on Us” Nov. 3-4 and Dec. 1-2 Atlanta History Center 130 West Paces Ferry Road N.W. Atlanta 30305 404.814.4000 www.atlantahistorycenter.com Get a cultural perk from your financial institutions—Bank of America or Merrill Lynch, that is—during Atlanta History Center’s “Museums on Us” event. On the first full weekend of every month, customers of the aforementioned banks get free entry into the museum with their photo ID and debit or credit card. From 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, cardholders can stroll the museum (which is set on 33 acres in Buckhead), exploring its myriad historical exhibits. “Museums on Us” is a national program including more than 150 leading U.S. cultural institutions in 91 cities.

n Off-the-Wall Pin Up Show + Sale Nov. 15 The Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia 75 Bennett Street N.W. Atlanta 30309 404.367.8700 www.mocaga.org Get out some pushpins and prepare to mingle with members of Atlanta’s artistic community at The Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia’s annual Off-the-Wall Pin Up Show + Sale. As part of the non-juried exhibition, 300 artists from all over Georgia are invited to hang one piece of unframed, unmatted art, no larger than 12 by 15 by 5 inches, with four pushpins. From 6 to 9 p.m., buyers can

Photo by Louie Favorite

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

Giannina Smith Bedford

purchase the unique works, which are all priced under $300. Open to all artists over the age of 18, the event’s sale proceeds go to the artists. A MOCA Georgia membership is required to participate as an artist or come as a guest; admission is free for members.

n Little Things Mean a Lot at the Swan Coach House Nov. 15-Jan. 9 Swan Coach House 3130 Slaton Drive N.W. Atlanta 30305 404.266.2636 www.swancoachhouse.com Get into the holiday mood by celebrating the opening of Little Things Mean a Lot. The annual holiday show and sale at the Swan Coach House in Buckhead kicks off with an opening reception Nov. 15 from 6 to 9 p.m. Showcasing works no larger than 8 inches in any direction, the free show will include pieces by more than 100 artists from the Southeast. What’s more, most of the mini-masterpieces can be taken home for less than $500. As art sells, new pieces will go up to replace them, ensuring there is always an interesting creation to catch the eye. Following the opening reception, the show will continue until Jan. 9, giving you plenty of time to pick up a perfect “little” gem, for the art aficionado in your life.

n Chastain Arts Center’s Holiday Show and Sale Nov. 16-Dec. 21 Chastain Arts Center 135 West Wieuca Road N.W. Atlanta 30342 404.252.2927 www.ocaatlanta.com/ chastain-arts-center Pick up a one-of-a-kind gift for that special someone at the Chastain Arts Center’s Holiday Show and Sale. Created to showcase the work of Chastain Arts Center students and staff, the annual event features handmade gifts, including a variety of artistic media created at the Buckhead center. The Holiday Show and Sale is the largest fundraising event for the Center.

Although attendance is free, donations are appreciated.

n It’s Fun to Bee Healthy, the Buzz on Healthy Living for Kids Nov. 17 Buckhead Library 269 Buckhead Avenue N.E. Atlanta 30305 404.814.3500 http://afplweb.com/events/ events-calendar Get little ones excited about healthy living during It’s Fun to Bee Healthy, the Buzz on Healthy Living for Kids at the Buckhead Library. The free, bee-themed event takes place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., entertaining kids ages 5 to 12 with hula-hoop fun and food art—think a peanut butter and sugar-free jelly sandwich decorated with food coloring. The event teaches kids the benefits of being an “active busy bee” and raises awareness about diabetes. Registration is required.

n The Holiday Spirit Dec. 15 Atlanta History Center 130 West Paces Ferry Road N.W. Atlanta 30305 404.814.4000 www.atlantahistorycenter.com Explore holidays past at Smith Family Farm and Swan House during the Atlanta History Center’s annual holiday program, The Holiday Spirit. Kicking off at 10:30 a.m. and continuing until 4:30 p.m., the festivities include family-friendly activities celebrating the season and history lessons through encounters with friendly “spirits” from the 1860s and the 1930s. Live demonstrations of blacksmithing, candle-dipping and open-hearth cooking will keep attendees entertained, along with holiday crafts, a visit from Santa and live musical performances. Tickets are $16.50 for adults; $13 for seniors and students; $11 for children ages 4 to 12 years; and free for members. The Fulton County Board of Commissioners, under the guidance of Fulton County Arts Council, helps fund the event.

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November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

SIMPLY happening

Ronda Smith and Ashley Smith.

c ha r itab le

Baseball legend Tom Glavine; cancer survivor and keynote speaker Joshua Goodling; and event hostess Chris Glavine.

Susan Miller and Jennifer Tripp enjoy the exhibits and silent auction items.

Kelly Serafin and Lisa Kelsey.

Photos by Sara Hanna

A Tribute To Our Quiet Heroes

India Watson and Anne Cooper.

Claudette Jones, Will Hennessy, Clare Hennessy and Rebecca Adams.

t this very special luncheon at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta, attendees honored the mothers of children with cancer—the “quiet heroes” who often go unrecognized. The event, conceived and hosted by Chris Glavine (wife of baseball superstar Tom Glavine), spurred claps, tears and $326,000 in funds for CURE Childhood Cancer—an event record. www.curechildhoodcancer.org

Angel Casterline and Marci Manning e-bid on auction items.

Leslie Edmond, Brannan Greene and Arlena Pou.

Retired WXIA TV News Anchor Jill Becker and CURE Childhood Cancer Executive Director Kristin Connor.

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

SIMPLY happening

simply scene

Seeds of Change. A bowl of pomegranate seeds at a New Year’s Eve party in Buckhead suggests 2013 will be quite a juicy year. photo:

November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

Sara Hanna

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November/December 2012 | Simply Buckhead

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Château Élan | 100 Tour De France, Braselton, Georgia 30517 Located I-85 North, Exit 126 - 30 Minutes North of Downtown Atlanta

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Let us rekindle the spirit of your inner child on our ice skating rink. Let us share native remedies that soothe mind, body and soul. Let us give you 99 reasons to pack your lucky golf shoes. Let us end your day under the stars making the perfect s’more.

Fire and Ice Package - The ideal package to create fond memories for the entire family. Includes a $100 daily food

$329*

and beverage credit, valet parking, a s’mores amenity and unlimited ice skating. For reservations, please contact your travel professional, call The Ritz-Carlton at 800-241-3333 or visit ritzcarltonlodge.com.

*Rates starting from $329, may vary over select dates, and are valid per room/per night, based on single or double occupancy, exclusive of taxes, gratuities, fees and other charges; does not apply to groups; and cannot be combined with any other offer. Advanced reservations are required. Offer valid through February 24, 2013, subject to availability. Credit applied per night, may not be applied toward room rate, has no cash value and must be used during the dates of the reservation. ©2012 The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C.

Best View in Highland Located at the top of Old Edwards Club adjacent to national forest lands, this home is jaw-dropping from the minute you get your first glimpse. Working with Architect Rand Soellner of Cashiers and Highlands Interior Designer Darren Whatley, the owners wanted a “big lodge” feel with open spaces yet wanted to maintain a sense of intimacy for them and their guests. The approach is so welcoming with a circular driveway, large porte-cochère and water feature, making a lazy afternoon on the front porch swing the best event of the day. The handsome front door and stone work on the porch lets visitors and guests know that something special is about to be revealed. Then the door opens and there it is — the best view in Highlands. The oversized deckwith fireplace and massive beams frame a view that seems to go on forever.

This is a home that can be enjoyed by just a couple or a large family. One of the favorite rooms for the owners is a cozy bedroom suite located near the kitchen, which is perfect for overflow guests or a great spot for an afternoon nap. The inviting master’s retreat, complete with fireplace and sumptuous bath, evokes a feeling of sensuality and has all the trappings of a five-star hotel. The upper level of this amazing home is all about guest comforts. Each of the light-filled bedrooms has its own individual character, and features balconies, gorgeous views, fireplaces and en-suite baths. The upstairs also boasts an entertainment bar, adjacent to a relaxing media lounge — which is the perfect place for children to play games or guests to unwind.

• Over 6,200 sq. ft. of living space • 3,000 sq. ft of covered and open decking • Outdoor kitchen w/Lynx range • Seven fireplaces • Old Edwards Club amenities w/membership at Old Edwards Inn 41 Church Street Highlands, NC 28741 828.526.1717 888.526.3558

at Highlands Falls CC 2334 Cashiers Road Highlands, NC 28741 828.526.4101 888.454.4342

W W W. M E A D O W S M T N R E A LT Y. C O M

Buckhead

3403 Northside Pkwy, NW atlanta, Ga 30327

404.844.4824

Listen to the weekly checkup on WSB radio 95.5FM and AM750 every 4th Sunday of the month at 3:00pm. Dr. Will Draper and Dr. Stacy Stacy will field questions on all aspects of your pet’s health and care.

Mon-Fri 7:00am-7:00pm Sat 8:00am-2:00pm

decaTur 24 hour hoSPiTal 217 North McDonough St Decatur, GA 30030 (L to R) Drs. Will Draper, Amy Mathews, Megan Stewart, and Laura Hooper

chosen as “Best Vet” in the “readers choice 2012” editions of Stone Mountain-redan, lilburn-Mtn Park, decatur-avondale estates, east atlanta, Virginia highland-druid hills, Brookhaven, Buckhead, and Sandy Springs editions of Patch.com.

www.TheVillageVets.com

404.371.0111 SToNe MouNTaiN 1227 Rockbridge Rd, Ste #300 Stone Mountain, GA 30087

770.717.1650